Will U-Turn slots save lives? Kalinga eyes road design change as traffic accidents rise in Tabuk City

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Will designated U-turn slots help reduce road accidents in Tabuk City?

Kalinga Provincial Police Office (KPPO) proposed the establishment of designated U-turn slots along provincial roads in response to the increasing number of vehicular traffic incidents recorded in the city during the Kapehan Meeting on June 22.

The proposal was raised by Police Major George Acob, who noted that many road crashes remain unreported and that additional traffic safety measures may be necessary as commercial establishments continue to expand along major road corridors.

According to Acob, the growing number of businesses along the provincial road stretch from Bulanao to Dagupan Norte has led to more vehicles making sudden and uncontrolled U-turns, increasing the risk of collisions and traffic disruptions.

“Kung mapapansin nating, kung meron nang establishments, kadalasan maraming nagyu-U-turn. And this proposal includes an express way sana, kung pwede po—maglagay po tayo ng U-turn slots along the provincial road—Bulanao to Dagupan Norte. Kung magkakaroon sana tayo ng specified slots, I think we could at least prevent ang mga traffic incident in these area. Marami pa pong hindi naka-record sa amin from the BFP and sa provincial hospital,” Acob said.

The police official explained that designated U-turn areas could help organize traffic movement by limiting turning vehicles to specific locations rather than allowing motorists to make abrupt turns at random points along the highway.

Governor James S. Edduba welcomed the proposal, saying the provincial government is open to reviewing the suggestion as part of its continuing road development plans.

The governor explained that the long-term design of the provincial road project already includes four lanes, landscaped areas, service roads for slower-moving vehicles, drainage canals, and bicycle lanes. However, he acknowledged that designated U-turn slots were not part of the original design.

“...there’s actually a plan for that… umuna lang pay dagidiay pedestrian ngem we will have to check that, adda pay ti nayon na gamin nga plano... And wen, dayta talaga gayam U-turn ti maysa nga haan naiplano,” Edduba said.

The discussion comes amid a rise in vehicular traffic incidents across Kalinga. Data presented by the KPPO showed that 39 vehicular traffic incidents were recorded from January to May 18, 2026, compared to 28 incidents during the same period in 2025. Of the total cases, Tabuk City accounted for 29 incidents—the highest in the province.

Acob identified traffic violations such as riding without a helmet, driving without a license, and failure to present vehicle documents as among the common factors observed in traffic incidents. Most crashes were also reported between 10:00 p.m. and midnight.

What is a U-turn slot and its purpose?

A U-turn slot is a designated section of a roadway where vehicles are allowed to safely make a U-turn. Traffic engineers often use U-turn slots to reduce random turning movements, improve traffic flow, and minimize conflict points between vehicles.

Studies in various urban road systems have shown that properly designed U-turn facilities can help reduce certain types of crashes, particularly side-impact and intersection-related collisions, by channeling turning vehicles to controlled locations. However, experts also note that U-turn slots alone cannot eliminate accidents. Their effectiveness depends on proper road design, adequate signage, enforcement of traffic laws, and responsible driver behavior.

For Tabuk, where many incidents are also linked to traffic violations and risky driving practices, U-turn slots could become one component of a broader road safety strategy. While they may help reduce hazards caused by uncontrolled turning movements, authorities emphasize that strict compliance with traffic rules remains the most important factor in preventing road crashes.