DPWH: Most of 1,200 road accidents since Jan. due to 'human error'

Roughly twelve hours after the van teenage actor AJ Perez was riding in collided with a passenger bus in Tarlac, another road accident happened in the same area. A Mitsubishi Adventure carrying six passengers would also figure in a road accident. This time however, no deaths or injuries were reported. Perez would pass away at 12:20 a.m. on Sunday due to multiple head injuries. According to GMA News’ “State of the Nation," the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has recorded over 1,200 vehicular accidents in the country’s national roads from January to March 2011 alone. Most of these accidents were caused by “human error," the report said. Three people have died and four more have been injured in road accidents along McArthur highway in the first two months of 2011, according to DPWH. Investigators said the Partas bus which collided with Perez’ van might not have been able to maneuver properly because of a huge ditch a few meters away from the shoulder along McArthur highway where the accident happened. The site of the accident was narrow, not cemented and not at the same level as the road, said GMA News’ Cedric Castillo. There is no speed limit in McArthur highway, and many parts of the national road have not yet met road widening and road shoulder standards. "Kapag tag-ulan, medyo na-e-erode ang shoulders namin so minsan nawawala sa standard," said Engineer Benjamin Lopez of the DPWH Tarlac District 1. “Magkakaroon ng widening this year, pero ‘di ko alam kung kailan ang bidding," he added. Some posts along the highway, Lopez said, also did not have functioning lights. Partas bus driver Julie Brillantes is still in custody, while Christopher Bautista, the van driver, has been temporarily released on bail. The two face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and damage to property. Meanwhile, a 30-day preventive suspension has been imposed on Partas’ 48-bus fleet. The bus company has announced plans to file a motion to question the suspension order. — Bea Cupin/VS, GMA News