CHAPTER 1

Background of the study

Every day thousands of people are killed and injured on our roads. Men, women
or children walking, biking or riding to school or work, playing in the streets or setting
out on long trips can become victims of road accidents leaving behind shattered families
and communities. Each year, millions of people spend long weeks in hospital after severe
crashes, and many lose the ability to live, work, or play normally as they used to do.
Sufferings for victims and their families from road traffic-related injuries are incalculable.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), each year approximately 1.35
million annual road accidents happen seriously injuring between 20 to 50 million people
worldwide. It is the eighth leading cause of global death and may become seventh by
2030 if the current trend continues.These accidents are not only a leading cause of death
but also a significant source of physical and psychological trauma for victims and their
families. This article will delve into the various causes of road accidents, exploring
everything from human error to environmental factors, and discussing possible
prevention strategies.

Globally over 3500 people die every day on the roads, which amounts to nearly
1.3 million preventable deaths and an estimated 50 million injuries each year – making it
the leading killer of children and young people worldwide. In the United States of
America, traffic deaths totaled over 145,000 in 2021, capturing 12% of global fatalities.
Reduction since 2010 has been modest (9.4%) and uneven across subregions. As of 2022
India stands as the country with the highest number of road accident fatalities worldwide.
Nearly 3.5 million: number of deaths caused by accidents in the last 5 years. 18 million:
number of individuals permanently disabled due to road accidents in the last 5 years. 60%:
the percentage of deaths and injuries that occur in Asia each year out of an estimated 1.18
million deaths and injuries globally. While In the year of 2023, India saw over 480,000
road accidents that claimed more than 172,000 lives. These daily tragedies underscore a
silent crisis: in 2023 alone, more than 172,000 people lost their lives on Indian roads,
averaging 474 deaths each day or nearly one every three minutes (Soutik Biswas 2025)

According to the World Health Organization, South-East Asia has the second
highest road traffic fatality rate of 20.7 per 100,000 population after Africa which is 26.6
per 100,000 population. Thailand and Malaysia are among the most vulnerable countries
in the region with a fatality rate of 32.2 and 23.6 per 100,000 population. Asian countries
have experienced rapid motorisation in recent years, especially concerning motorised 2-3
wheelers. Particular attention should be paid to this mode of transport which represent
40 % of crash fatalities in South Asia. Thailand reports the highest rate of motorcycle-
related deaths in the world while nearly 60% of all road traffic deaths in Malaysia are
riders of motorcycles.
 In the Philippines, an average of 32 people die every day as a result of road
accidents, according to the UN data. On the other hand, data from the Philippine National
Police (PNP) reported an increase in road accidents in 2024 compared to 2023 which also
showed a 35% increase in road accident fatalities— 2,747 fatalities in 2024 compared to
2,030 fatalities in 2023. The same PNP data disclosed that 27,248 or 87.17 percent of the
road accidents were caused by reckless driving such as bad overtaking, improper turning,
speeding, drunk driving, overloading and using mobile phones while driving. On the
other hand, the PNP data also showed that 790 road accidents were attributed to motor
vehicle condition while 725 cases were caused by poor road conditions

A research study carried out in the province of Albay investigated traffic accident
statistics from three major cities—Legazpi, Ligao, and Tabaco. The findings highlighted
that several key factors frequently contributed to these road incidents, including
overspeeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, improper overtaking, and
pedestrian violations such as jaywalking. Among the three cities, Legazpi City reported
the highest number of traffic accidents, totaling 2,448 cases from the years 2020 to 2022.
This was significantly higher compared to Tabaco City, which recorded 604 accidents,
and Ligao City, with 294 cases during the same period. These figures suggest that traffic
safety remains a critical concern in these urban areas of Albay

According to ( BNFM Sorsogon 2023) the Land Transportation Office (LTO)

Bicol recorded more than 3,000 road accidents across the Bicol Region from January 1 to
September of the same year. Among the provinces, Sorsogon registered a total of 121
road accidents during this period, making it one of the areas with the highest number of
incidents. Catanduanes followed with 70 recorded cases, while Masbate had 30.

This data indicates that road accidents remain a pressing concern in Sorsogon.
The high number of incidents highlights the importance of assessing traffic enforcement
strategies, public awareness, and local government initiatives in improving road safety. In
the municipality of Bulan, Sorsogon, road safety has become a growing concern,
especially in high-traffic areas such as the Poblacion. With the increase in motorcycles,
tricycles, and private vehicles, there has also been a rise in minor accidents, traffic
congestion, and traffic-related violations. To address these issues, collaborative
checkpoints conducted jointly by local traffic enforcers and the Philippine National
Police (PNP) have been implemented. These checkpoints aim to enforce traffic laws,
ensure proper vehicle documentation prevent drunk driving, and curb illegal practices
such as unlicensed driving or the use of unregistered vehicles.

On June 8, 1964, Republic Act No. 4136, also known as the Land Transportation
and Traffic Code, was enacted in the Philippines. This law serves as the primary legal
framework for regulating land transportation, traffic rules, vehicle registration, and driver
licensing in the country. It aims to ensure the safety and orderliness of public roads and
highways by implementing standardized policies and guidelines. Under this law, all
motor vehicles operating on public highways must be properly registered with the Land
Transportation Office (LTO). It also mandates that drivers must possess a valid driver’s
license appropriate to the type of vehicle they are operating. The law outlines traffic rules
and regulations, including speed limits, right-of-way provisions, parking rules, and
penalties for violations such as reckless driving, overloading, and unauthorized use of
vehicles.

RA 4136 also gives authority to law enforcement agencies and traffic enforcers to
conduct checkpoints, issue traffic violation tickets, and apprehend motorists who fail to
comply with traffic laws. This law provides a legal basis for operations that seek to
reduce road accidents, improve driver behavior, and maintain discipline among road
users. In recent years, local government units (LGUs) have adopted supplementary
ordinances aligned with RA 4136, allowing them to address specific traffic concerns
within their jurisdictions, such as tricycle route regulation, helmet use, and parking
management. These initiatives, when combined with the national traffic code, aim to
create safer and more efficient road environments for all road users.

This study aims to evaluate the overall effectiveness of Police Checkpoints and
Traffic Enforcer Support system on Road Safety in Poblacion, Bulan". Specifically, it
seeks to examine the strengths and limitations of this strategy in reducing traffic-related
incidents. Furthermore, the study endeavors to provide evidence-based recommendations
that could improve the implementation of checkpoints while upholding human rights and
ensuring due process.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to explore theeffectiveness of Police Checkpoints and Traffic

Enforcer Support system on Road Safety in Poblacion, Bulan, Sorsogon.

Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What are the domographic profile of the respondents?

a. Age

b.Sex

c. Educational Attainment

d. Occupation

e. Civil status

2. What are the perceived effects of collaborative checkpoints in terms of:

a. Road safety improvements

 b. Changes in driver behavior

c.Frequency or prevention of traffic violations

3. What are the challenges encountered by law enforcers and motorists in terms of:

a. Operational limitations

b. Public cooperation

c. Respect for human rights and due process

4. What are the propose programs or recommendations can be designed by the

researchers ?

SCOPE AND DEL

This study is focused on assessing the effectiveness of police checkpoints and the
support system of traffic enforcers on road safety within Poblacion, Bulan, Sorsogon.
Using a quantitative approach, it measures the extent to which checkpoints and
enforcement contribute to reducing traffic violations and improving road discipline. The
study covers a total of 50 purposively selected respondents, composed of 10 PNP officers,
10 traffic enforcers, 10 commuters, and 20 local drivers, who directly experience or
participate in road enforcement and usage within the area. The study is limited only to
Poblacion and does not extend to other barangays or municipalities. It does not consider
other factors that may affect road safety such as infrastructure development, road
conditions, or driver education programs. Likewise, the findings are based only on the
responses gathered from the identified participants during the conduct of the study and
cannot be generalized to the entire municipality of Bulan or the whole province of
Sorsogon.

The st44

Significance of the Study

This study on the effectiveness of police checkpoints and traffic enforcer support systems
in promoting road safety in Poblacion, Bulan, Sorsogon is important because it provides
insights into how enforcement strategies contribute to reducing traffic violations and
preventing accidents. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and understanding the role of
law enforcers and traffic regulations can help strengthen existing measures and improve
public safety.
 To the Government and LGU- The findings will provide valuable insights into
the effectiveness of current checkpoint strategies, guiding policymakers and local
authorities in making informed decisions to enhance public road safety measures.

To Law Enforcement Agencies- This study will help traffic enforcers and police
officers understand the impact of their collaborative efforts, and how they can improve
operational coordination and uphold the rights of motorists.

To the Community- Residents and motorists will benefit from safer roads and
more efficient checkpoint practices, which contribute to public trust and compliance.

To Future Researchers- This study will serve as a useful reference for further
research related to traffic management, public safety, and law enforcement collaboration.