Abstract

In urban areas, traffic accidents continue to be a major public safety issue, necessitating effective and dependable response systems to reduce injuries, property damage, and traffic congestion. This study evaluated the Traffic Accident Response Team's effectiveness in Barangay Baesa, Quezon City, with a focus on community trust, capacity, and skills and training. The study aimed to identify the respondents' demographic characteristics (age, sex, education, and experience), assess the response team's effectiveness based on community trust, capacity, and skills and training, identify the challenges in managing traffic accidents, and determine if there were significant differences in effectiveness assessments based on respondent profiles. This study used a quantitative descriptive approach. Data were collected using a validated, researcher-created survey given to fifty (50) carefully chosen participants: twenty (20) Barangay Public Safety Officers (BPSO), eight (8) Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) members, and twenty-two (22) drivers who frequently travel through Barangay Baesa. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal Wallis H test. Findings revealed that respondents generally agreed that the Traffic Accident Response Team is effective in performing its duties, particularly in consistent and reliable accident response, operational performance, and problem-solving during emergencies. However, road-related issues were identified as the most significant challenge affecting response efficiency. Statistical analysis also indicated significant differences in assessment when respondents were grouped according to selected profile variables. The study finds that although the Traffic Accident Response Team in Barangay Baesa is viewed as effective, there is a need to improve resource distribution, collaboration among agencies, training programs, and road infrastructure management to further enhance accident response and community safety. Additionally, drivers, the HPG, policymakers, and local government units should work together to enforce traffic laws, allocate resources and training, increase public awareness, and support road safety initiatives. These steps aim to fill operational gaps, improve accident response, boost public safety, and lay the groundwork for future research in traffic safety and emergency systems.