PANAJI
The State Road safety council on Wednesday has recommended the swift implementation of the new Motor Vehicle Act, 2019 in the interest of safety on Goan roads.
Speaking after attending a meeting of the Council, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho stated, “It was mandated that we meet once in every six months to discuss road safety and take effective action. We should follow the law in letter and spirit as is the case with the rest of the country. We will keep the fines minimum.”
It was further disclosed that the Chief Minister will take the final decision on the date of implementation. However, the State government has been reportedly permitted to adjust the fines within Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000. Concerns have been repeatedly voiced by vehicle owners in the State over the sudden and steep hike in fines for traffic violations.
In addition to this, the Transport Minister said: “Out of the 24 accident-prone dark spots identified by the Council in the State to minimize road accidents, 14 have already been dissolved due to widening of roads, National Highway, augmentation of roads and so on. The Council will now submit the timeline for rectification of the remaining 10 black spots.”
GOACAN director and member of the Council Roland Martins informed that the city, ward and village level road committees will be roped in to create awareness among the people about traffic rules and road discipline.
As part of the ongoing Road Safety Month, GOACAN has been advocating for the safety of pedestrians. As a part of this initiative, on Wednesday, GOACAN and Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) teams visited KTC bus stand at Panaji to examine the safety of pedestrians in general and those who are disabled in particular.
