Traffic accidents seen to surpass last year’s

Traffic related accidents recorded in the first eight months this year are already ahead of numbers for the same period last year, according to the Department of Public Safety Traffic Section.

Statistics provided indicated that from January to August, DPS recorded a total 2,142 accidents—89 cases or 4.3 percent higher than the number recorded last year, which totaled 2,053 in the first eight months.

The report also shows a 67.2-percent increase when drawing comparison between incidents this year and the same period in 2002, which had 1,281 accidents in the first eight months.

Further, traffic related fatalities have already surpassed the number recorded last year, with nine deaths recorded this year compared with the seven posted in 2003.

Traffic accidents also increased by 41.1 percent from 2002 to 2003, with a total of 3,168 recorded in 2003, or 923 cases more than the 2,245 recorded in 2002.

Statistics indicate that majority of accidents this year occurred in April with 297, while the least amount was in August with 193.

Reports indicate that 245 traffic accidents were recorded in January, 258 in February, 292 in March, 297 in April, 292 in May, 272 in June, 293 in July, and 193 in August.

Reports by months for 2002, 2003, and 2004 are as follows:

2002 – 2003 – 2004
January – 218 – 286 – 245
February – 200 – 229 – 258
March – 66 – 263 – 292
April – 156 – 243 – 297
May – 176 – 264 – 292
June – 194 – 262 – 272
July – 190 – 240 – 293
August – 81 – 266 – 193
September – 215 – 256 – *
October – 251 – 267 – *
November – 215 – 281 – *
December – 283 – 311 – *

Earlier, DPS commissioner Edward Camacho said the department is working with the Legislature on banning the use of tint on vehicles in hopes of reducing the number of traffic accidents.

Camacho said the tint hampers visibility, especially during rainy and stormy weather.

“The tint adds more limited visibility to the operator of the vehicle, and this is just to promote safety and go back to having visual contact and communication between vehicle operators,” he said.

The department chief said he expects many to oppose the measure, but explained that an alternative to tinting is currently available and should be used instead.

“People argue that the reason why they use tint is because it keeps the sun and heat out. There are all kinds of dangers with that, though. [But] there’s already a tinting system in place right now—a tint chemical—where you don’t even have to darken the windshield. Put the tint chemical on the windshield and that will repel the heat, and the car will be as cool as if there’s no sun out.”