PANAJI
In less than a month, Goa reported over 3,000 traffic violations with tinted glasses and fancy number plates accounting for up to 25 per cent of the total offenses.
These statistics pertain specifically to the Transport Department for a period from February 16 to March 8, while the Traffic Police are concurrently conducting their own crackdowns on traffic violations.
Transport Director Pravimal Abhishek has confirmed the data stating that their enforcement efforts will continue unhindered. “The department will continue to carry out such enforcement drives,” he said, speaking to The Goan on Thursday.
These findings surfaced during a recent routine review meeting of the department higher-ups and officers from each Regional Transport Authority.
Panaji and Margao RTA jurisdictions recorded the highest number of violations. "Penalties are levied on the violators," official said.
Officials further disclosed to The Goan that tinted glasses, not wearing seat belts, unauthorized use of fancy number plates, illegal vehicle hiring, and various other miscellaneous offenses constitute a total of 3,041 violations.
The authorities are on their toes after a spate of fatal accidents, primarily attributed to reckless and drunk driving. One particular accident that occurred on Mandovi Bridge is still fresh in the minds of the people wherein Odisha native Ankit Triparty, driving a rental car, collided head-on with biker Javed Sadekar. The impact was such that Sadekar was thrown into the river with his body recovered two days later. The accused was recently granted conditional bail.
On February 27, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho chaired a high-level meeting to review the accident scenario in the State in which he directed the officers to crack down on vehicles, particularly rent-a-cars, found guilty of more than two serious offenses. These cars, he said, would be impounded.
He had also directed the PWD to rectify 12 identified black spots before the election for Lok Sabha while adding that signage, road markings, and other road safety measures will be systematically taken up.
