The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Northern Mindanao has expressed alarm over a surge in road accidents involving young drivers. This comes after a deadly collision between two SUVs in Barangay Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental, which left one person dead and several others injured.
LTO-Region 10 spokesperson Ferdinand Flores confirmed that a 17-year-old student, driving an SUV, crashed into a vehicle carrying a family, resulting in the death of Agricultural Engineer Emilyn Pagaling. Four family members sustained minor injuries.
Despite being legally allowed to hold a non-professional driver’s license at 17, Flores emphasized that young drivers must still exercise caution behind the wheel. He added that the incident highlights the risks posed by inexperienced drivers.
In response, the LTO has pledged to tighten vehicle inspections and issued a public reminder for all motorists, especially young drivers, to slow down and drive carefully to prevent further accidents.
The rise in accidents involving young drivers has raised concerns among local authorities, urging more stringent measures to ensure road safety for all.
