LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The management of the 88-kilometer Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) recently held a talk with vegetable truckers and traders on road safety last week.

With the increasing number of vehicular accidents observed on the roads and highways of Benguet, TPLEX Marketing and Business Development Officer Tony Reyes said the province, as a primary market, was chosen with several consultative meetings that were also held in other provinces like Pangasinan, La Union, Tarlac and Manila.

"Number one cause of accidents is still blown-out tires. Iyan ang pinaka binabaliwala ng kapwa Pilipino, iyong pangagalaga sa gulong," said Reyes.

TPLEX representatives also provided tips on road safety, policies and regulations, proper loading of goods, and maintenance of vehicles.

Benny Hipolito, president of truckers and traders associations in Benguet, said participants include associations delivering different produce in the markets of Urdaneta in Pangasinan and Manila, specifically in Balintawak and Divisoria.

"In the seminar, magkakaroon ng additional knowledge itong mga driver natin para maiwasan iyong sobrang aksidente sa daan," Hipolito said.

He cited expertise of drivers and new tires are needed in order to avoid vehicular traffic accidents for vegetable truckers when plying along toll roads.

At least 35 trucks are transporting vegetables at the Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center coming from Divisoria, Balintawak, Urdaneta, Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon with a capacity of five to 22 tons.

Tuba Municipal Police Station data show that vehicular traffic accidents (VTA) decreased by 6.45 percent from January to June 2019.

Tuba covers four major roads entering in Benguet, namely, Kennon Road, Marcos Highway, Asin and Naguilian Road.

Most VTAs resulting in homicide occurred in Marcos Highway, while trucks recorded the highest number of vehicle involve in accidents.

Causes of VTAs are human errors, followed by mechanical defects and road conditions.

In 2018, most vehicles involved in road crash are trucks with 71 cases, followed by sports utility vehicles, motorcycles, and passenger vans.