1,779 traffic violations in 6 months logged in Tabuk; Students among top offenders

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A total of 1,779 traffic violations from  were recorded in Tabuk City from January to June 2026, according to data from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG)-Kalinga, as authorities intensified the enforcement of traffic laws following a rise in motorcycle-related accidents, some of which proved fatal.

Police said many of those apprehended were students, prompting authorities to strengthen road safety campaigns in schools and communities while urging young motorists to strictly follow traffic regulations.

Students among those apprehended

Data from the Tabuk City Police Station also showed that from January to June 15, authorities apprehended 35 motorists for using prohibited LED lamps, 15 for illegal horn use, and another 15 for operating motorcycles with modified mufflers under the "Disiplinadong Driver" or "Wastong Hagad" campaign.

Rising motorcycle accidents alarm police

PSSg. Omar Pelobello, Operations PNCO, in an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, said authorities have observed an increase in motorcycle-related accidents in recent months, with several incidents resulting in serious injuries and deaths.

“Dagituy napalpalabas nga bulan napansin tayo, umad-adu ti nadisgrasya, haan lang nga maospital, adda pay ti matay. Gapu ta kaawanan iti usar da nga helmet,”he said. ("In the past months, we have noticed that accidents have increased. Some victims were not only hospitalized, but some even died because they were not wearing helmets.")

Pelobello reminded motorists that wearing helmets significantly reduces the risk of severe head injuries and fatalities during road crashes, adding that under the law, both motorcycle drivers and passengers are required to wear standard protective helmets while traveling on public roads.

Strict helmet enforcement

Authorities are now pushing for 100 percent compliance with the mandatory helmet law in Tabuk City.

“Iimplement tayu dituy Siyudad iti Tabuk nga dapat one hundred percent nga adda iti motorsiklo na ket naka-helmet da. Kasi para metlang kanyada dagituy ibagbaga tayu. Haan kendakami nga agimimplement,”informed Pelobello. ("We will implement in the City of Tabuk that everyone riding a motorcycle must wear a helmet. These reminders are for their own safety. We are not enforcing this for ourselves.")

The HPG officer explained that stricter enforcement aims to protect motorists and passengers while preventing more injuries and deaths caused by road accidents.

“Iyunay-unay tayo ken dagituy motorista tayo nangnangruna kadagitoy estudiyante tayo nga adda iti motor da… Dapat kuma upon linuganan da jay motor da, adda helmet da,”added Pelobello. ("We are appealing to our motorists, especially our students who use motorcycles… Upon riding their motorcycle, they should wear a helmet.")

Appeal to parents and motorists

Pelobello urged parents and guardians to remind their children to obey traffic laws and wear proper safety gear every time they ride motorcycles, whether the vehicle belongs to them, their parents, or is borrowed from others. He also reminded motorists that motorcycles are generally designed to carry only two persons—the driver and one passenger. Carrying excess passengers is a traffic violation that compromises the motorcycle's balance and stability, increasing the risk of crashes, particularly among students and young riders.

The intensified enforcement campaign, explained the HPG officer, is anchored on Republic Act No. 4136, or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, which governs vehicle registration, driver licensing, and traffic regulations. The law requires all motorists to obey traffic signs and road safety measures to protect both drivers and pedestrians.

Authorities are reiterating that observing traffic laws is not only necessary to avoid citations, fines, and other penalties but, more importantly, to prevent road crashes that can result in serious injuries or even claim lives.

Motorists are strongly urged to wear standard helmets, avoid excess passengers on motorcycles, obey speed limits and traffic signs, and practice responsible driving at all times to help make Tabuk City's roads safer for everyone.