A motorcycle rider died on the spot after meeting an accident at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday along Commonwealth Avenue — dubbed the Philippines’ “Killer Highway” — in Quezon City.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) identified the fatality as Mark Manlangit, a 32-year-old resident of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, based on an identification retrieved from his body.
According to the MMDA, the rider was in the northbound lane when his bike’s front wheel hit the gutter and he was thrown off the motorcycle, in front of the Commission on Audit building.
Probers of the Quezon City Police District surmised the victim hit his head hard on the pavement, resulting in his instantaneous death. His helmet was thrown off his head by the impact.
Commonwealth Avenue has been dubbed the country’s “Killer Highway” by the website dangerousroads.org because of the hundreds of accidents, many fatal, recorded each year in the 12.4-kilometer stretch spanning six to 18 lanes.
“The road has seen numerous pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicular deaths over the years due to awful regulations and enforcement of traffic laws,” the group said.
“Most deaths on the road are blamed on too much traffic congestion and chaos. With an estimated three to five accidents per day, the road is a nightmare of reckless traffic,” it added.
The group said the factors contributing to the many risks at Commonwealth Avenue are the high volume of vehicles passing, with many public transportation vehicles abruptly stopping to load and unload passengers in no-stopping areas.