PANAJI
On average, around 2,000 instances of over-speeding violations result in the suspension of driving licenses each year. This violation consistently tops the most frequently reported traffic infractions.
In the last five years, more than 10,000 riders/drivers had their licenses suspended for committing speeding offenses alone. This figure contributes significantly to the total of 22,161 licenses that have been suspended for six different violations during this same period.
As per the Supreme Court directions, licenses of the violators' should be suspended in the first offense itself, a minimum duration of suspension is three months.
Using mobile phones while riding/driving a vehicle stands second most commonly committed violation, resulting in the temporary suspension of 5,036 licenses.
Following closely, the jumping red light takes over the third position wherein 3,236 offenders have got their licenses suspended.
The offense of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs -- brought into sharp focus by the tragic Banastarim road accident -- takes the fourth spot with 3,232 licenses suspended over the span of five years.
This year, the State has witnessed a concerning rise in the number of accidents, a large proportion of which led to fatalities. Of these is the recent case involving the influential Paresh-Meghana Sawardekar couple wherein the former was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol killing three and injuring others.
A number of these accidents have also been self-accidents.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has already highlighted over-speeding, riding without helmets, and instances of driving while intoxicated as three key factors contributing to the surge in accidents.
