PANAJI
As Goa Police have intensified its drive against traffic violations, particularly drunken driving, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that cases of drunken driving have reduced by nearly 70 per cent which is an encouraging development.
Speaking at the launch of a day-long open forum over the ‘Road Safety Management Plan’ in Panaji on Friday, he said, “police are keeping a close vigil... More than 60 to 70 per cent cases have been reduced in the State”.
A significant rise in accidents and fatalities prompted the State government to chalk out a plan for road safety by incorporating suggestions from the general public and NGOs.
The suggestions made during the discussion were registered by the officials of the Traffic, Transport and Public Works, to draft the Plan to minimize road accidents in the State.
“Within the next fortnight, we will prepare a report based on the suggestions of the public. We will then decide what measures should be taken to reduce the accidents, following inputs from the departments of Traffic, Transport, and Public Works. We will act on these suggestions from December 1,” Sawant added.
The three departments will work on short-term gains and long-term improvements to reduce road accidents.
Sawant went on to add that 50 per cent of the total accidents are self-accidents as he asked motorists to obey traffic laws.
“The number road accidents from 2017-2021 were horrifying. In 2017, the number was 333, then 262, 297, 223, and 226 respectively. We can reduce accidents by traffic management and taking measures,” he said.
Records indicate that the current year till September 30, 2022, the State witnessed 2,244 accidents of which 179 were fatal whereas last year’s corresponding period saw 1969 accidents of which 148 were fatal. The figures show that the current year has registered an increase of 275 accidents that resulted in 42 deaths.
Sawant informed that several steps under the Motor Vehicle Act 1989 have been taken and the stakeholders are working on the suggestions and consultations from the National Road Safety Board, National Road Safety Council, Transport Development Council, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 to reduce accidents.
The government will also impart moral education and value education among the students, to gain knowledge of traffic rules.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, who also participated in the Open Forum, stated that the new Zuari Bridge will resolve the connectivity problem between North and South Goa, as he also mentioned the upcoming Mopa international airport and the app-based taxis.
During the discussion, participants raised the issue of pathetic condition of the roads that, they argued, lead to road accidents.
Helmetless riders, most of whom are college students and youngsters, and rash driving were also discussed with some of them urging the transport and traffic personnel to tighten the noose around tourists using rental vehicles.
