Tipo Killing Season is Back

 

Every year when the rains return, they usually come a bit earlier and bit heavier to the areas near the Subic rainforest. Tipo highway runs along the edge of this area and the first rain of the season came about a week ago. And it was followed by the first spectacular vehicle accidents along the highway. Tipo is a deadly highway. It is built on a steep incline, with multiple dead man curves, and the pavement is extraordinarily slick. Drivers unfamiliar with the highway accelerate early and by the time they reach the curve at the bottom of the hill, they are unable to get out the turn and they hit the concrete ditch hard. The most recent accident involved a sedan that slid sideways off the road. It did not look like anyone could have walked away from the accident. There are always some spectacular truck accidents in the same spot. Fortunately, trucks entering the freeport - usually oil and gas tankers - are empty. Trucks have to slow to almost a full stop at the curve to retain control. On the way out, when they are fully loaded they are crawling up the hill and don't usually go into the ditch. Each rainy season as my kids and I get onto Tipo, they perk up to see if there is an accident. Unfortunately, there often is. It would be convenient to blame SBMA or the police, but it really is the fault of the highway designers. The incline is too steep, the curve is too sharp and the highway is too slick. Police are now putting cones that force drivers into a tight space at the deadliest curves in order to force them to slow down. But it takes more than a few cones to discipline Manila drivers. A word of advice for visitors to Subic during the rainy season, when you pass the Tipo toll gate, slow down and enjoy the scenery... or speed up and enjoy our hospital facilities.