MARGAO
Road accidents have claimed around 217 lives up to October this year, around 51 more than the figures of the corresponding period last year.
A glance at the statistics compiled by the authorities has revealed that of the total 217 lives that have been lost in accidents, around 126 deceased persons were riders, 22 pillion riders, nine drivers, 13 passengers and 41 pedestrians.
The statistics further reveal that the State recorded around 2,495 accidents up to October this year. A break up of the figures reveals that around 202 were fatal accidents, 164 accidents with grievous injuries and 441 non-injury accidents and 1,688 in the category of non-injury accidents.
GOACAN convenor Roland Martins said the statistics in respect of the total accidents in Goa and the fatal accidents are indeed a matter of concern. “Around 51 more persons have been killed in accidents on Goan roads this year up to October as compared to the corresponding figure last year,” he said.
A glance at the accident rate for the month of October shows that the number of persons killed in road accidents has shown an increase this year. Around 23 persons lost their lives in the month of October itself. Similarly, the number of fatalities concerning the riders has also seen a rise, with 16 riders being killed in October as compared to just seven during the same period in 2022. The number of pillion riders killed in October 2022 is shown as three as compared to just one in 2021.
There’s also been a rise in the number of deaths of pedestrians on the roads in October with four pedestrians falling victim to accidents as compared to just two pedestrian deaths during the same period in 2021.
Roland Martins said the statistics should hopefully lead to introspection amongst the stakeholders, including the government agencies, municipals and panchayats in putting the mechanism in place to help bring down the accident rate.
Citizens, victims observe World Day of
Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
MARGAO:
Citizens and victims on Sunday observed the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims at the Margao municipal garden with the participants paying respects to those killed in road accidents.
Organised by GOACAN, relatives of persons, who were killed in road accidents, narrated how the death of their near and dear ones has hit their lives. The participants remembered the accident victims by lighting candles. They later took out a candle-lit procession highlighting the need to ensure road and traffic safety measures in a bid to bring down the accident rate.
GOACAN coordinator Roland Martins reminded that this programme was first held in the State way back in 2009 with a view to sending across a message in the towns and villages to constitute road safety and traffic management panels in the municipalities and panchayats across the State.
“This programme is being organised to remember the dead as well as those left injured so that we can share the pain of so many families, who have lost their near and dear ones,” Roland said, adding that the participants have taken a pledge to work for better road and traffic safety measures in the villages, urban areas and the district.
He added: “We are pleased that many of the participants are those who have lost their near and dear ones. They brought photographs and candles were lit. We are hopeful this movement will motivate the people to join the traffic warden scheme of the police and road safety patrol and constitute the road safety committees in the towns and villages.”
