PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant issued a stern warning to motorists about the dangers of drunken driving pointing at the alarming rate of road fatalities in Goa.
Speaking at the launch of the Traffic Response and Congestion Control Centre (TRACK), the Chief Minister revealed that at least one person dies of road accidents every day.
“Those who drink and drive need to think before driving under the influence of alcohol. They should think of the safety of other commuters on the road too besides responsibility towards themselves and their families,” Sawant stated.
His remarks come in the wake of the recent accident on Mandovi Bridge wherein Sanket Shet, the inebriated driver of the Celerio GA-05-F-6447 crushed one of the three labourers Amit Yadav, 24, as they filled potholes under the high-beam lights on August 22.
Sawant recounted the accident stating that four liquor bottles were found in the accused driver’s car, slamming those who approached him for the driver’s bail. “People came to me for the driver’s bail. Is there no respect for the one who died?” the Chief Minister questioned.
He further went on to state that Goa records not less than 365 road accident deaths annually “ an average of one death per day. “More than 50 per cent of these are self-accidents, and a major portion involves drunken driving,” he added.
In a bid to address this growing concern, the government has roped in Goan social media influencers to raise awareness about road safety in the Konkani language. “People don’t understand the police language, so we used social media influencers. At least Goans should understand this language,” Sawant remarked, stating this relatable and effective communication could help curb accidents.
Regarding the TRACK initiative, which leverages technology for enhanced traffic management, Sawant reiterated the government’s commitment to road safety.
“Road safety for citizens is our top priority. We are committed to improving road safety by fast-tracking road engineering proposals. Several such proposals have been undertaken,” Sawant said.
