PANAJI
One person was killed in a road accident on New Year’s Day 2026, even as the overall number of accidents reported across Goa declined compared to the same day last year.
Traffic police data shows that eight road accidents were recorded across the State on January 1, 2026, down from 12 accidents on January 1, 2025.
The lone fatality was reported in a self-accident on the Manohar Parrikar bypass in Canacona. Police identified the deceased as Melari Ningappa Bewawadar (28), a resident of Karnataka who was travelling on a motorcycle from Margao towards Karwar when he allegedly lost control and rammed into a road divider. He was killed on the spot due to the impact and his bike dragged for about 20 metres.
Of the remaining accidents reported on the day, four were minor crashes that left four persons injured, while three accidents did not result in any injuries. No grievous injuries were recorded on January 1, 2026.
In contrast, no fatalities were reported on January 1, 2025. However, four grievous accidents had left four persons seriously injured last year, while three minor accidents resulted in injuries to four others. Five accidents reported on the same day in 2025 did not cause any injuries.
“While the overall number of accidents on New Year’s Day has come down compared to last year, the loss of even one life is a matter of serious concern, although it was a self-accident,” a senior traffic police officer said while quickly adding that intensified enforcement, night patrols and preventive checks — particularly against reckless and drunken driving — during the peak tourist season helped improve road discipline.
‘Deaths due to road accidents eased in 2025’
Road accidents across Goa declined in the calendar year 2025 compared to 2024, though the number of grievous injuries recorded during the year showed a significant rise.
Year-end data shared by the traffic police indicates that a total of 2,370 accidents were reported in 2025, down from 2,682 accidents in 2024 — a reduction of 312 cases.
Fatal accidents fell to 256 in 2025 from 271 in the previous year, while the number of deaths declined to 267 from 286.
However, grievous accidents increased to 237 in 2025, up from 198 in 2024. Correspondingly, the number of persons grievously injured rose to 293 from 276.
Minor accidents remained largely unchanged, with 473 cases recorded in 2025 compared to 478 in 2024, though minor injuries increased to 803, up by 38 cases.
