PANAJI
The Goa Police has devised a strategy centred on three key elements - Enforcement, Engineering, and Education as a meeting headed by Director General of Police Jaspal Singh on Friday reviewed traffic enforcement pan-Goa.
The decision came in the wake of a disturbing accident on Mandovi Bridge, where a motorcyclist was flung into the river owing to the impact of the rental car.
“Our enforcement against traffic violations is already underway but we will intensify it along with educational initiatives. We will also closely coordinate with the Public Works and the Transport Departments so that various linked issues can be addressed without delay,” a senior officer, who attended the crucial meeting of senior officers, told The Goan.
Conceding a surge in reckless and negligent driving, the Goa Police have advised the tourists to not blindly follow GPS directions as it could lead to navigation errors and subsequent accidents or traffic chaos.
The meeting also decided to rope in various stakeholders including airports, to create road safety awareness at their respective institutions/ premises. “We will also be increasing patrolling,” the officer added.
Responding to allegations of bias in enforcing traffic regulations, the officer maintained, “We don’t distinguish between Goan and non-Goan or tourists. Anyone violating the traffic rules is an offender and accordingly penalized.”
In 2022, the department had issued guidelines to Deputy Superintendents of Police, Traffic Cells and Police Stations to stop a vehicle only in cases of visible traffic violations. “…random MV checking of rent-a-bike, rent-a-car, tourist vehicles and outside state vehicles without justifiable reason should be stopped forthwith. However, it is clarified that if the tourist vehicle is involved in a cognizable offence or of there is credible information that the vehicle is being used in the commission of a crime or if the vehicle is noticed committing a blatant violation of traffic rules, legal action should follow as usual,” reads the November 22, 2022 circular, exclusively in possession of The Goan.
The field personnel were even warned that if unduly stopping of these vehicles were noticed, it would be presumed the action is being taken with ulterior motive, which will lead to departmental action. The concerned in-charges were also instructed to check on their staff on enforcement duties else they would be held responsible for misconduct and misadventure by their subordinate staff.
