Traffic related injuries (TRI) further marred the total crime volume recorded in Bohol for July which saw ten more crimes over June this year.

Police Senior Superintendent Dennis Agustin said through a powerpoint presentation, that Bohol total crime volume in July reached 755 over the previous month’s 745.

The month registered 311 non-index and 444 index crimes, according to police Col. Agustin.

The Camp Dagohoy top cop also summarized that during the months crimes, physical injuries surged to the top of all crimes, with  216 cases in July. This comprises a significant 28.6 % of the total crime volume, Col Agustin showed.

After physical injuries, were cases of theft (135 cases or 17%) robbery (47 cases or 6.2%) and carnapping (21 cases or 2.7%).

While physical injuries also topped the cases in July at 219, taking off the TRI from the crimes would show a 37% decrease in total crime volume, Colonel Agustin pointed out to members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) who were meeting at Reynas Garden and Haven, August 5.

Camp Dagohoy classified physical injuries as mauling, stabbing, stoning, vehicular accidents and other modes.

Statistical data from crime statisticians showed that of the 216 physical injuries in July, 147 of these were vehicular accidents, which comprise 68% of the cases.

Mauling, on the other hand scored 26 cases or 12%, other modes at 25 cases or 11.5%, stabbing or hacking at 10 cases at 4.62%, shooting at 5 cases and stoning at 3 cases.

Of the physical injury cases classified as vehicular accidents, Camp Dagohoy listed six possible causes.

These are human error, low down payment of motorcycles, minors on the wheels, driving without licenses, driving while intoxicated and modification of motorcycles.

Using this data, the PPOC scrambled to stir the Land Transportation Office through Erwin Patalinghug to do something about this.

With plans to keep intoxicated drivers off the road, the PPOC tackled the purchase of alcohol breath analyzer, which according to the LTO is a substantial investment.

NAPOLCOM through Atty. Olive Grace Hebron said that the AB analyzer is needed only when a driver fails the vision and the walking tests.

But, in most cases, the presence of the LTO team and traffic police manning the streets is enough to keep illegal vehicle operators from venturing out in the streets.

While there are traffic aides and police in the streets, there are hardly any of these people apprehending motorists despite blatant violations including driving non-street-worthy vehicles, spot license checks and alcohol tests to drivers. (rac/PIA-7/Bohol)