FEWER road crashes were recorded in Cebu in the first five months of 2026. (File)
CEBU CITY – The number of vehicular accidents in Cebu province decreased in the first five months of the year.
From January to May 26, road crashes dropped from 3,535 to 2,688, 24 percent lower compared to the same period last year.
Three out of 10 involved motorcycles.
Road incidents decreased overall but cases of reckless imprudence on the road that resulted in homicide increased from 69 to 87 or 26 percent.
Deaths were reported in three percent of total road incidents. The majority of vehicular accidents (61 percent) resulted in damage to property, while 35 percent resulted in physical injuries.
Police Lt. Col. Jose Rovic Villarin, Deputy Provincial Director for Operations of the Cebu Police Provincial Office, revealed the figures during a recent Hisgutan Ta media forum in Cebu City.
Villarin disclosed that all police stations in the province have been directed to reduce road cases by 15 percent this year, following a 15 percent surge from 7,941 cases in 2024 to 9,105 the following year.
He assured the public that Cebu’s roads have become safer, despite high-profile cases like the hit-and-run incident that killed 23-year-old entrepreneur Kingston Ralph Cheng last February.
Villarin attributed the 24 percent decline in total road incidents to proactive efforts by the provincial police, such as the establishment of checkpoints in areas with a high incidence of vehicular accidents, and the visibility of patrollers on main thoroughfares.
Police have been strictly implementing the No Plate, No Travel policy; the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act, and local traffic ordinances.
Villarin reminded motorists to demonstrate road courtesy and safety discipline to avoid hurting people and damaging property.
“Don’t drive fast. Drive slow. Slow is safe, and safe is fast,” he said.