Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday recorded a 101-percent increase in road crash injuries in its sentinel hospitals during the recent holiday season, prompting renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws.

According to Philippines News Agency, a total of 1,384 road crash injury cases were logged from December 21, 2025, to 5 a.m. of January 5, 2026, doubling the 690 cases recorded during the same surveillance period covering the 2024-2025 holidays. Of these cases, 647, or 47 percent, involved individuals aged 15 to 29 years, highlighting the vulnerability of the youth during peak travel periods.

The DOH reported that among fatal cases, seven out of ten deaths involved motorcycle riders, with six of these riders not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. Additionally, three of the fatalities were pedestrians. Data further indicated that 171 cases involved individuals under the influence of alcohol, while 1,188 patients were not using safety accessories such as helmets or seatbelts. Motorcycle-related crashes accounted for 989 of the total reported cases, or seven out of ten cases.

The DOH reiterated its appeal for the stricter implementation of traffic and road safety laws, particularly during the holidays. Health officials emphasized the importance of wearing proper safety gear, avoiding alcohol consumption when driving, and observing traffic regulations to reduce the risk of road crashes and ease the burden on health facilities.