Two separate road accidents in Asia, both caught on camera and widely shared online, have reignited debate over road safety and the urgent need for stricter regulation of two- and three-wheeled vehicles. The first incident, which occurred on December 8, 2025, in the Philippines, involved a yellow e-bike colliding with a motorcycle at an intersection, while the second, on December 13 in Uttar Pradesh, India, saw a hit-and-run involving a bike rider and a child, both of whom suffered serious injuries. These incidents, though separated by geography, highlight common themes: reckless driving, inadequate regulation, and the consequences of insufficient enforcement.
In the Philippines, dashcam footage shared by Facebook user Ryan Diaz quickly went viral, amassing 6.3 million views, 16,000 likes, and 734 comments within a week of its posting on December 15, 2025. The video, which shows a dashcam-equipped vehicle approaching an intersection, captures the moment two e-bikes cross from different directions. A yellow e-bike, coming from the left, attempts to switch directly to the outer lane instead of the inner lane—the closest to its point of entry. In doing so, it collides with a motorcycle coming from the right, resulting in the motorcycle’s fall. According to Diaz’s caption, “Alright, full video, araro movie,” the incident was as dramatic as it was preventable.
Comments on the video, as reported by Interaksyon, were swift and pointed. One Facebook user, referencing the location, claimed the crash took place in Tramo, across C5, with the dashcam vehicle heading toward Pulang Lupa in Las Piñas City. Another commented, “Balagbag ‘yung e-bike, yah,” expressing frustration over the e-bike’s maneuver. A third user wrote, “Tea, kala ko tatawid si manong, sasalubong pala sa kabilang lane,” voicing surprise at the e-bike’s unexpected lane change. Perhaps most telling was the sentiment shared by another commenter: “Perwisyo talaga ‘yang mga ganyan dahil walang assurance at walang proper training sa kalsada. Dapat i-ban mga ganyang e-bike sa highway.”
This groundswell of public opinion has intensified calls for regulation. Currently, e-bike and e-trike drivers in the Philippines are not required to register with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), nor must they hold a driver’s license or insurance. This lack of oversight stands in stark contrast to the requirements for other motor vehicle operators. The LTO had previously announced a plan to impound light electric vehicles (LEVs) operating on national highways, with an initial enforcement date of December 1, 2025. However, the agency recently postponed implementation to January 2, 2026, citing the need to release updated guidelines and conduct a nationwide information campaign about the impending ban on LEVs—including e-bikes and e-trikes—on major thoroughfares.
The rationale for the new rules is clear: e-bike and e-trike drivers share the road with other vehicles, the operators of which must demonstrate basic knowledge of traffic rules and safe driving practices. Before obtaining a license, motorists must pass both theoretical and practical driving tests. Advocates argue that extending these requirements to e-bike and e-trike drivers would reduce accidents like the one captured in Diaz’s video, as drivers would be better equipped to make safe decisions on the road.
Meanwhile, in India, another harrowing incident unfolded on December 13, 2025, on Baitalpur Main Highway Road in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria district. CCTV footage from a nearby camera captured a bike rider and a child being struck from behind by a speeding car. The impact threw both riders onto the road, and, in a chilling sequence, another car coming from behind ran over the fallen victims. The drivers of both vehicles failed to stop, leaving the injured man and child lying helpless on the asphalt.
According to local reports, bystanders acted quickly, arranging for an ambulance and ensuring that both victims were transported to a nearby hospital. Doctors later confirmed that the victims suffered serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment. The police, using the CCTV footage as evidence, have launched an investigation and are working to identify and apprehend the hit-and-run drivers. Officials have assured the public that strict action will be taken against those responsible.
This incident, as reported by local media, has stoked fresh outrage in India over the prevalence of hit-and-run accidents and the apparent impunity with which some drivers operate. The visuals, which clearly show the high speed of the vehicles and the negligence of the drivers, have prompted renewed calls for stronger enforcement of traffic laws and harsher penalties for offenders. The police’s commitment to using technology—such as CCTV footage—to track down perpetrators is seen as a positive step, but many argue that more systemic changes are needed to address the root causes of such tragedies.
Both accidents underscore the broader challenges faced by rapidly urbanizing societies where new forms of mobility, such as e-bikes and e-trikes, have surged in popularity. In the Philippines, the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in this shift, as lockdowns and limited public transportation options pushed many Filipinos to seek alternative means of getting around. E-bikes, with their affordability and ease of use, quickly became a go-to solution for commuters. However, their rapid adoption has outpaced the development of regulatory frameworks, leaving a gap in road safety that is increasingly difficult to ignore.
Similarly, in India, the explosion of vehicles on the road—combined with inadequate infrastructure and lax enforcement—has contributed to a rising toll of road traffic accidents. According to the World Health Organization, India has one of the highest rates of road traffic deaths globally, with vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists disproportionately affected. The Deoria incident is just one of many that highlight the risks faced by those who lack the protection of a car’s chassis or the backing of robust legal safeguards.
What, then, is the path forward? In both countries, experts and advocates point to a combination of stricter regulation, improved driver education, and better infrastructure as key solutions. In the Philippines, the LTO’s forthcoming guidelines on LEVs are seen as a critical first step. By requiring e-bike and e-trike drivers to obtain licenses and adhere to the same standards as other motorists, authorities hope to instill a culture of safety and accountability on the roads. In India, ongoing efforts to expand the use of surveillance technology and impose stiffer penalties for hit-and-run drivers are viewed as essential, but must be accompanied by broader reforms to ensure that justice is swift and certain.
Ultimately, the viral videos from the Philippines and India serve as stark reminders of the real-world consequences of regulatory gaps and reckless driving. As both nations grapple with the challenges of modern mobility, the stories of those affected by these accidents underscore the urgent need for change—before more lives are put at risk.
