WHY ARE FAULTY BRAKES KILLING US?

WHY ARE FAULTY BRAKES KILLING US? Let me begin with a question we should all be asking, especially those in power: Why are so many Filipinos dying on our roads because of faulty brakes? It’s a question that has haunted me every time I read another tragic news report: a bus plunges into a ravine, a truck rams into a row of cars, a jeepney overturns. Often, the explanation is predictable and painfully repetitive— “nawalan ng preno.” But I must ask: is this still acceptable in 2025? The Silent Epidemic on Our Roads Our roads are death traps not just because of driver error or traffic congestion, but because we continue to allow unsafe vehicles to operate. Brake failure is not fate—it’s negligence. It’s a mechanical failure that is almost always preventable. That’s why I wrote a letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., asking hard questions and offering practical suggestions. Because if we won’t fix this problem now, we’re simply allowing the next accident to happen. Do We Even Know the Numbers? First, where’s the data? We need the Department of Transportation or LTO to show how many road accidents over the past five years have been attributed to brake failure. And how many of those resulted in deaths or permanent injuries? Without data, how can we craft real solutions? Inspection: Where Is It? Is there not a national system for checking the roadworthiness of vehicles, especially brakes? I know the LTO has a Motor Vehicle Inspection System (MVIS)—but where are these stations located? How many vehicles go through them? Are they mandatory or optional? And let’s be honest: how many vehicles, especially trucks and buses, pass without being properly checked? The poor condition of many public and even government-owned vehicles is an open secret. “Pitstop” Safety Stations: A Simple but Life-Saving Idea What if we set up mobile or fixed safety inspection “pitstops” along major highways, especially in accident-prone areas? Vehicles—especially cargo trucks and passenger buses—could be randomly or regularly pulled over for quick checks on brakes, lights, tires, and weight. Is this too ambitious? Not really. We already have checkpoints and weighing stations in some provinces. Why not repurpose or upgrade them into safety hubs? Accountability Must Be Enforced We need stronger penalties for operators and drivers who neglect basic vehicle maintenance. If an accident occurs and it’s proven that a vehicle’s brakes were defective, then the owners, mechanics, and even the certifying authorities must be held accountable. And what of the victims? Are they even insured? Many passengers who die or are injured in these accidents get little to no compensation. Shouldn’t there be mandatory insurance coverage for all public utility vehicles, covering brake-related incidents? Special Licenses, Certified Mechanics, Weight Control If brake failure is often linked to heavy vehicles, then why aren’t we requiring special licenses for truck and bus drivers—complete with skills training in emergency braking, downshifting, and load management? And speaking of load management, overloading is another silent killer. It’s no secret that many trucks carry more than they’re allowed. This overstresses brakes and tires. It’s illegal, and yet, it's everywhere. Another big issue? Mechanics. Right now, anyone with a wrench can open up a truck’s brake system and call themselves a “mechanic.” Shouldn’t we require certification for those who work on the most critical components of public and cargo vehicles? Safety Is Not a Luxury Some might say all these proposals would be expensive. But how expensive is a life? Let me be blunt: If we can afford endless road-widening projects and overpriced traffic lights, we can surely afford to build a functional road safety system. The public has a right to safe travel. But rights are meaningless if they’re not protected by policy and enforcement. Will the President Act? In his many speeches, President Marcos has spoken of modernization, digitalization, and innovation. But I respectfully ask: can we not apply some of that same energy to saving lives on our roads? Road safety isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t make headlines or ribbon-cutting ceremonies. But if even one life is saved because of better inspections, tougher enforcement, or smarter policy—isn’t that worth more than any infrastructure photo-op? It’s time we stopped normalizing brake failure as just another tragic quirk of Philippine roads. It's not fate. It's fixable. And the fix should begin now. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 07-25-2025