THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
In a major step to tackle the rising number of road accidents and fatalities, Goa government has rolled out the Goa Road Safety Policy, 2025.
The policy is a comprehensive, technology-driven framework aligned with the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS), the Centre’s Road Safety Policy, and the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030), which aims to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries by 50 per cent by 2030.
The policy will be implemented over a period of three years with key initiatives to be executed in a phased and structured manner, to focus on enforcement, infrastructure improvement and multi-agency coordination.
As per the policy, a Lead Agency for Road Safety will be set up as an independent body during this period, while the State Road Safety Council (SRSC) will carry out regular monitoring.
By incorporating automation, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and enhanced community participation, the government plans to boost monitoring, improve compliance and prevent accidents.
The policy further sets out multiple objectives to address various facets of road safety. One of the core priorities is ensuring safer vehicles on Goan roads for which the policy proposed the setting up of Automated Testing Stations (ATS) that will use technology to eliminate manual errors and biases in vehicle fitness testing.
These centres are expected to promote transparency and objectivity in assessing the roadworthiness of vehicles. Strengthening the vehicle inspection and certification framework is central to the goal of reducing risks posed by unfit vehicles.
The policy also focused on enhancing driver training and licensing standards. Integrated Driver Training Centres (IDTR) or Regional Driver Training Centres (RDTC) will be set up in the State as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), which will provide high-quality, structured training and scientifically assess drivers before they are granted/approved licenses.
To address enforcement, the policy outlined the deployment of an AI-based traffic management system to detect violations such as over-speeding, signal jumping, wrong-lane driving, non-use of helmets and seat belts, triple riding, use of de-registered or polluting vehicles, and expired insurance.
The State will further employ advanced analytics tools such as the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) and the e-Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) system to analyze accident patterns and identify high-risk zones. GIS-based mapping will be used to scientifically assess accident-prone areas and support targeted infrastructure and traffic management interventions.
Recognizing the need for coordination among multiple agencies, the policy called for the formation of a dedicated Lead Agency to steer road safety initiatives across departments. Regular review meetings of the State and District Road Safety Councils will be held to monitor progress and make necessary course corrections. The policy further emphasizes inter-departmental coordination involving the Transport Department, Traffic Police, PWD, NHAI, Health and Education departments, along with involvement from civil society and academic institutions.
Regarding road infrastructure, the policy revealed identifying accident hotspots and rectifying the faulty ones using traffic calming measures, better signage and redesigning of roads.
Where feasible, the government will integrate cycling lanes and pedestrian pathways to promote non-motorized transport. Inclusive road design will also be ensured through the incorporation of features such as tactile paving, ramps, and audible pedestrian signals to make roads accessible for persons with disabilities.
The AI-based traffic management system will be developed under a PPP model to ensure efficient and sustainable enforcement. This system will integrate with law enforcement agencies to enable real-time monitoring and promote data-backed enforcement strategies. The use of analytics tools like iRAD and e-DAR will support evidence-based planning and decision-making for road safety interventions.
As of September 2024, Goa’s vehicle population reached 13.23 lakh, including 8.69 lakh two-wheelers, and is growing at an annual rate of 17 percent. In 2023-24, the State recorded 2,682 road accidents that resulted in 286 fatalities.
“In the year 2023-24, over 2,682 accidents were reported, resulting in 286 fatalities. This rapid increase necessitates a comprehensive, technology-driven approach to ensure safer roads, roadworthy vehicles, well-trained drivers, effective enforcement, and accident mitigation measures,” the policy stated.
