The accident scenario in Goa threw up horrifying figures. According to data collected on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims last Sunday, the State recorded seven accidents daily, on average, and one life was lost every 30 hours. While Goa may seek comfort in the fact that there has been nearly a 10 per cent decline in road accidents up to September this year, the death toll hasn't come down from the 219 fatalities reported last year. Goa Medical College and Hospital data indicates that trauma and accident cases account for nearly 25 per cent of its daily emergency caseload. While accidents continue to snatch lives, there are wider concerns. Firstly, fatal accidents scar the lives of family members and secondly, they also get Goa, considered a safe destination, a bad name.
While there has been a lot of negative publicity on Goa's tourism with individuals resorting to social media to tarnish the image with various narratives, safer roads in an area which the government will have to consider going forward because there is an increasing number of tourists getting involved in accidents, the reasons of these accidents may be varied -- from lack of understanding of roads, rash and negligent driving or drunken driving, we must understand that there are consequences to face because eventually this too gets bad publicity.
Goa has witnessed an influx of tourists of various kinds. Millions of tourists come to the State and hire vehicles to explore the offerings. Certainly, Goa has comparatively better roads than what we had a couple of years ago, but again the traffic density has drastically gone up. We often find tourists navigating unfamiliar roads and flouting rules with impunity going full throttle with the spirit of a holiday destination. The absence of road safety measures, inadequate signages and irresponsible driving, including drunken driving, exacerbates the situation.
Rising road accidents have been a debate for several years, and each time we have seen short-term initiatives. Intensifying road patrolling, road safety drives and restrategizing policing haven't helped. It is intriguing that the State government is not using technology adequately to man roads. Experiments with CCTV surveillance of a few roads in Goa have yielded results. The data of these cameras need to be analysed against the violations and accidents in the area. Places like Delhi, Mysuru and even Bengaluru have seen results.
Finally, proactive community engagement is crucial in such an alarming situation. Local bodies and civil society groups must be engaged in road safety campaigns. Awareness campaigns have to be an ongoing exercise, not restricted to a particular time zone. By now, Goa is well aware of the fault lines, we know more or less the reasons behind accidents. The only elements lacking are the required intent and infrastructural support to take enforcement to the next level.
While the situation could grow worse as tourists pile on and more vehicles zoom down the roads, the government must immediately switch to technology-aided monitoring so that appropriate deterrents can be set. Lamenting over tragedies under the current scenario and indulging in a blame game would lead us nowhere. It is better to be safe than sorry.
