THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reported several vehicular accidents at different times on Friday, further hampering traffic on what navigation mobile application Waze called the “worst day to drive” in the Philippines.
Transport officials in Metro Manila, picking up from what Southern Californians call a major traffic jam they have described as “carmageddon,” are also now using the term to stress traffic gridlock resulting from accidents or vehicular stalls following major roads being closed down.
In one eight-hour stretch during the day, the MMDA reported on its official Twitter account nine vehicular accidents and three instances of a van or a bus stalling.
Twelve other vehicular accidents and four other instances of stalling were recorded throughout early Friday morning, according to MMDA tweets.
One of the latest incidents occurred at 3:50 p.m., involving a bus and a car that occupied one lane along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, northbound, close to Farmers Market in Cubao, Quezon City.
Another occurred at 3:26 p.m. along Marcos Highway-Gil Fernando Avenue which involved a car, occupying one lane.
Official sources could nopt explain how the disasters occurred.
The MMDA has yet to respond to a query on a real-time situationer on Metro Manila traffic on Friday, but its General Manager Tim Orbos said earlier that traffic would be heaviest between 4 and 6 p.m. due to busy bus terminals.
The MMDA has boosted its graveyard shift force ahead of Friday’s anticipated traffic logjams, with travelers flocking to bus terminals in time for the holiday exodus.
