Rates of Vehicular Accidents on Highways and Roads in the City of Balanga, Bataan: A Comprehensive Study on Accident Causes and Investigation Findings

Abstract

Vehicular accidents continue to pose a serious threat to public safety, economic stability, and transportation management in the Philippines, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities such as Balanga City, Bataan. This study aimed to determine the rates of vehicular accidents on highways and municipal roads in the City of Balanga and identify the major accident causes and investigation findings associated with these incidents. Specifically, the study examined the demographic profile of road users, the frequency and location of accidents, the time and season of occurrence, the type of accidents recorded, and the contributing driver-related, vehicle-related, and road-related factors. The study utilized a descriptive quantitative research design to systematically analyze accident trends and patterns from 2024 to 2025. Data were collected through official accident records obtained from the Philippine National Police and the Balanga Traffic Management Office, as well as through a structured online survey administered to 300 respondents composed of motorists, commuters, and institutional stakeholders in Balanga City. Frequency distribution, percentage, and weighted mean were employed to interpret and analyze the gathered data using Microsoft Excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Findings revealed that vehicular accidents in Balanga City were primarily associated with human error, particularly reckless driving, distracted driving, speeding, and non-compliance with traffic regulations. Motorcycle-related incidents comprised a significant proportion of the recorded accidents, while high-risk zones were commonly located along congested highways and commercial road corridors. Environmental and infrastructural conditions, including poor road maintenance, inadequate signage, traffic congestion, and adverse weather conditions, were also identified as contributing factors. Furthermore, accident occurrences were found to increase during rush hours, weekends, and rainy seasons. The study concluded that vehicular accidents in Balanga City resulted from the interaction of behavioral, mechanical, environmental, and infrastructural variables. The findings contributed to the existing body of knowledge on localized and road safety conditions and provided empirical evidence for the formulation of data-driven traffic management policies and preventive interventions. The study further emphasized the importance of strengthening traffic law enforcement, improving road infrastructure, increasing public awareness campaigns, and implementing targeted safety programs to reduce accident rates and promote safer road usage within the municipality.