Taxi crashes into concrete barrier on EDSA-Ayala underpass

A taxi was thrown to the side of the road on Sunday after crashing into a concrete barrier on the northbound lane of the EDSA-Ayala underpass.

According to Mariz Umali’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” the taxi was attempting to overtake a car when it hit the barrier.

Motorist Leorido Ariguin Jr. was right behind the cab when it crashed. He recorded the incident on his dashcam.

“Ang suwerte na lang din po at hindi ganoon kabilis ang takbo ko,” said Ariguin.

(I’m really lucky that I wasn’t driving that fast.)

Nevertheless, Ariguin was hurt slightly by debris from the crash, while the taxi driver experienced soreness on the right side of his body after he slammed into his steering wheel.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) identified the taxi driver as Alberto Cadelena.

Cadelena was not drunk nor did he fall asleep behind the wheel. However, he did make a mistake.

“Firstly, solid white line. You’re not supposed to overtake or change lanes. Second, I think he was using his low beams,” MMDA EDSA Traffic Manager Colonel Bong Nebrija said.

The incident has been brought to the Traffic Bureau for investigation.

Meanwhile, the driver may be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property.

Nebrija rejected criticisms over the lack of early warning devices ahead of the concrete barriers.

“Meron po dating ano ‘yan hazards lights together with the early warning devices. However, meron na noon dati, binunggo pa ‘yun. Ilang beses nabunggo, ilang beses na kami na siraan ng hazards lights,” he said.

(There were hazard lights together with early warning devices before. They were repeatedly run over. Our hazard lights have been repeatedly broken.)

“You understand how government procurement work. It will take time to replace the warning devices,” he added.

Since concrete barriers were placed on EDSA in June 2020, the MMDA recorded numerous similar crashes.

In the first months, the MMDA said they recorded at least 100 accidents per month, which the agency claimed was normal as motorists were still getting used to the barriers.

Eventually, the number of crashes decreased with only 28 incidents recorded in June 2021 while only eight traffic accidents were recorded from July 1 to 12.

The MMDA also said that motorists needed to check if they were fit to drive.

“Our safety is a personal responsibility. Meron po talaga tayong mga barriers and other objects on the road that we need to avoid. Ngayon, we need to check ourselves if we are fit to drive, and we cannot blame inanimate objects for accidents like this,” he said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News