panaji
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that the state government intends to bring the number of road accident deaths to below 200 in 2018.
Parrikar was speaking at the inaugural of 8th State Road Safety Week, which also saw the presence of Transport and Public-Works-Department (PWD) Minister, Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar, Transport Director, Nikhil Desai, North Goa Collector, Nila Mohanan, and Mayor of Panaji, Surendra Furtado.
Earlier during the event, Desai informed that 328 people died in 2017 in the state due to accidents on roads and the number stood at 336 in 2016.
Parrikar said, “We are losing more than 300 lives in a year (due to road accidents). And, there are 300 cases with permanent disabilities (due to road accidents). 600 families in a year are affected. That trauma and loss is irreplaceable. Road safety should be a year-round campaign.”
It is often seen that people use their contacts like politicians when traffic police book them for violations on roads. Responding to this, Parrikar said, “We (the politicians) don’t know anyone. People take selfies with me. But I don’t know them. If a politician calls, speak politely but fine the person (the violator) politely as well.”
There has been a pan-India problem of people driving after consuming alcohol. In fact, in 2016, the Supreme Court had even banned sale of alcohol within 500 meters of national and state highways.
Parrikar said, “Bar owners must ensure that those
drinking over one peg shouldn’t drive.”
A number of school students and staff of Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) attended the inaugural of the road safety week.
Parrikar said, “Everyone should decide that they will teach (how to drive safely) to at least two to three people. Vigilant citizen is the need of the hour.”
Speaking to the gathering, Dhavalikar said, “70% of fatal accidents on roads are of two-wheeler users. It is the younger generation that does a lot of driving. Youngsters should remember that their families are waiting for them at home. They shouldn’t forget this while driving on roads.”
