Panaji: Days after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant claimed that 80 per cent of the accidents are due to drunken driving, the Aam Aadmi Party Goa unit has condemned the claim calling it "shocking" and "insensitive."
Addressing the press conference, AAP leader Valmiki Naik stated that most accidents involve regular commuters and not intoxicated individuals. He said only 10-15% of accidents might be due to intoxication or speeding, while the rest are a result of bad roads.
The party stressed the need for a proper study to uncover the real causes of accidents.
AAP emphasized that bad road engineering, lack of lighting, and insufficient road signage are major contributors to these accidents. They urged the CM to collaborate with Goa Police to collect detailed accident data, including factors like potholes and road design flaws, before making broad statements.
Additionally, AAP Goa raised concerns about the government’s focus on building more highways, arguing that this approach encourages private car ownership, worsening traffic. AAP pointed out that while the national average for car ownership is 7.5%, Goa’s rate stands at 45%, with many families relying on personal vehicles. Improving public transport and road safety, they said, would be far more effective solutions than merely expanding highways.
