The traffic signals at Porvorim could be a great example of how people have been approaching the idea of regulated traffic. A few years ago, signals were installed at the O Coqueiro junction. It wasn’t all smooth sailing at first, but now there is a lot of order at that junction. Not too long ago, a second set of signal lights were installed further up the road at the Holy Family junction, on the way to Mapusa. There too, there were a few teething problems but it has all been streamlined now.
It wasn’t always easy. Until now, the St Inez junction is where an accident is waiting to happen. The signals there are non-functional, having been installed nearly a decade ago. In other parts of Goa, there are many dangerous areas that need some sort of regulation to happen. Most accident-prone areas and other general junctions and roundabouts now see traffic police take charge of traffic regulation. But in this age of technology wouldn’t automated signals be a better idea?
There has been more than a 25 percent increase in traffic accidents in Goa over the past few years. This prompted the Goa Police to propose a state-wide installation of traffic signals, pedestrian signals and blinkers. Around 73 signals - 53 traffic, 20 pedestrian “ as well as 73 blinkers, have been planned for the State. That was over two years ago. Only three have been installed, all along the Porvorim stretch.
The government needs to realise that the time has come to work on ways such as this to regulate traffic and have some semblance of order on Goan roads. Of course, the people have to comply. They do, for the most part. Years and decades of no signals and proper law and order enforcement have fortified a mindset in many, but this can be overcome over time. However, waiting for it to happen magically is not the answer.
There have been rumours that the department of transport is finally working on the plan to have those signals and blinkers installed. If that is true then it’s a very good thing, because the behaviour in Porvorim has indicated that automated regularisation does work. There will be a few errant drivers and riders now and then, but that’s universal. The plan, once put into place, will also free up precious manpower that the Goa Police can put to far better use than just regulating traffic.
However, putting a signal in front of a ‘No Parking’ Zone (the signal at Holy Family Church), or near a bus stop, like at the Delfino’s junction cannot happen again. This requires better planning. Once that happens, we can slowly make the journey towards sane driving.
