the goan I network
VASCO
Politicians and residents from Vasco and surrounding areas have requested the government to insist on speed governors for taxis, a day after five cars, three of which were taxis, were involved in an accident at Sancoale on Wednesday evening.
They expressed concerns over the speeding taxis especially during peak hours at Dabolim Airport, where many flights arrive and depart with many national and international passengers.
According to NCP Minority President Nazir Khan, amendments to Rule 118 of the Central Motor Vehicles Act stipulate that speed governors are required to be fitted in transport vehicles manufactured on or after October 1, 2015, with a maximum preset speed limit of 80 kmph.
“The order was issued by the Supreme Court to curtail the speed of heavy vehicles. This has to be applied for taxis as well. Taxis are often found speeding. Just yesterday, five cars were reported to have collided against each other. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. I think maximum speed of 80 km per hour is well justified for any vehicle, no matter the nature of emergency,” said Khan.
GPCC Secretary Saifullah Khan also suggested that speed governors were the need of the hour for vehicles, especially taxis.
“We have a lot of congestion on roads with rising number of vehicles and quite often we see taxis trying to rush through the traffic and some times they are also driving on road shoulders.
“Many taxis want to rush with their passengers to and from the airport. The taxis must realise that the lives of their passengers and other motorists can be put to grave risk with their reckless driving. Speed governors will ensure there are less accidents,” said Khan. Another resident, Ramdas Naik, said the government must take up the issue and insist on speed governors for taxis while the road safety week is in progress.
“We have the national road safety week being celebrated this month and such initiative must be a part of the safety week. We have heard that the taxis will soon have meters. All vehicles including taxis, rent a cab vehicles and other commercial vehicles must be installed with speed governors. There is no harm in driving at 80 kmph even on a four-lane highway because it is always better to be safe than sorry,” said Naik.
