PANAJI
As Goa reeled from at least 10 road accidents over the past fortnight – including two major pile-ups involving multiple vehicles – fresh data from the Goa Traffic Police has revealed worsening road safety crisis across the State, driven overwhelmingly by rash and negligent driving.
The Goa Traffic Police’s “Accident Scenario, April 2026” report indicated the State recorded 851 accidents in April this year, up from 797 during the corresponding month in 2025 – an increase of 54 cases, or 6.78 per cent. Fatalities also rose marginally, from 87 to 89.
The April figures alone exceeded the total number of accidents reported during the entire January-to-March period this year.
The report paints a grim picture of driving behaviour in Goa, with an overwhelming 92.62 per cent of all accidents attributed to rash and negligent driving – reviving long-standing concerns over speeding, reckless overtaking, and poor lane discipline on highways as well as urban roads.
National Highways accounted for 33.64 per cent of all accidents, while long straight stretches of road – often associated with overspeeding and dangerous manoeuvres – were linked to 74.65 per cent of crashes, mirroring patterns seen in recent high-profile accidents in the State.
Among them were two separate accidents on the Dona Paula stretch. In one incident last month, a young pillion rider was killed after a speeding Mini Cooper allegedly driven by a businessman’s son rammed into a two-wheeler late at night. In another case earlier this week, a BMW allegedly travelling at high speed swerved into the wrong lane, smashed into a parked jeep and then collided with an oncoming vehicle. The driver, Jagdish Sardessai, was later arrested for drunk and reckless driving.
Meanwhile, as per the report, curved roads accounted for another 14.28 per cent of accidents.
Cars and two-wheelers continued to dominate the accident statistics. Two-wheelers were involved in 44.11 per cent of accidents, while cars accounted for 40.51 per cent. Motorcyclists also formed the overwhelming majority of road fatalities, with 69 deaths or 77.52 per cent of the total lives lost.
The data further showed that the highest number of accidents occurred between 5 pm and 6 pm, coinciding with peak evening traffic movement. Wednesdays accounted for the highest share of crashes at 15.20 per cent, followed by Mondays at 11.05 per cent.
Contrary to the common perception that roads become more dangerous after dark, the report found that 516 accidents occurred during daytime compared to 335 at night.
Among police station jurisdictions, Verna and Old Goa recorded the highest number of accidents at 70 each, followed by Ponda with 58, Panaji with 53 and Cuncolim with 49.
Verna also topped the fatality chart with nine deaths, followed by Anjuna with seven and Valpoi with six.
The sharpest rise in accident growth rates was recorded in Pernem and Saligao, both of which registered a 500 per cent increase over the corresponding figures last year, though from smaller bases. Anjuna reported a 200 per cent rise, while the Mormugao-Curtorim belt saw an increase of 116.67 per cent.
The report also highlighted worrying concentrations across vehicle categories. Panaji recorded the maximum number of car accidents at 58, while Old Goa led in two-wheeler accidents with 56 cases. Cuncolim reported the highest number of truck accidents at nine.
