PANAJI
To ensure that users of rental cars and bikes strictly adhere to traffic norms, with responsible driving as a priority, the Goa government has decided to tighten the noose around these vehicle owners.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has warned of actions such as the arrest of vehicle owners, in addition to the accused driver, if rental vehicles are involved in accidents resulting in fatalities. His strict stance is prompted by recent accidents involving tourists driving rental cars.
“There have been several accidents because the vehicle users do not follow traffic rules. Recently, a rent-a-car met with an accident because the driver was under the influence of alcohol. These types of accidents are largely due to reckless driving. Therefore, in the future, the owner of the rented car or bike will be arrested along with the rider/driver of the vehicles in an accident leading to a fatality,” the CM said during the 43rd anniversary of the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) on Tuesday.
Citing that the government will be working to amend the law to make necessary changes, he asked rental vehicle owners to issue strict instructions to tourists to “not drink and drive”.
“Our aim is not to collect fines but to enforce discipline on the roads to prevent accidents and loss of life,” he said.
The CM also recalled that enforcement authorities have had cases wherein tourists involved in accidents fled from Goa, providing inaccurate identification documents to the rental service providers, which posed challenges for the police.
“Stricter measures are needed to ensure accountability,” he stated.
