PNP to Bataeño motorists: BLOWBAGS first

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Police authorities are encouraging Bataeños that to survive roads during this hazardous rainy season, BLOWBAGS must not be left behind.

The acronym stands for battery, lights, oil, water, breaks, air, gas and self. “There are a lot of road accidents caused by driver’s errors. This BLOWBAGS should always be in mind before heading out into their routine,” Philippine National Police-Balanga City chief PSupt. Frederick Obar said.

The reminder delineates the most essential things that a driver must check first in his vehicle before traveling. He said the “self” part must be diligently considered as safety starts from oneself.

This developed after a head-on collision of a minibus and trailer truck in Bataan Highway on September 16 that left 46 persons injured who were mostly students and workers going home to Mariveles town. The minibus driver was the lone casualty. Obar said the driver of the truck, bound to Manila, was at fault in the collision as it lapped over the lane of the minibus.

Bataeños went online to push road safety as mixed reactions spewed in the aftermath of the mishap. Pastor Jan Sugatain from nearby Pilar town posted that in light of the accident, some points to be considered were the passenger capacity of the minibus which at times is overloaded, road worthiness of both vehicles, lack of traffic lights and road reflectors, and the enforcement of speed limit in Bataan Highway.

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Bataan is planning to install traffic lights along Bataan Highway and also in national highway.