VASCO
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho urged motorists to drive responsibly, saying improved infrastructure has encouraged speeding and fatal accidents.
He was speaking at the launch of the 15th State Road Safety Week at MES College, Zuarinagar, organised by the Directorate of Transport under the slogan ‘Drive Safe, Ride Safe, Reach Safe’.
Godinho said better roads, bridges and flyovers had led to higher speeds, endangering motorists and others. Referring to the recently inaugurated Porvorim flyover, he attributed two recent fatal accidents there primarily to excessive speed.
“While this has widened our mortality rate from one death every day to one every 28 hours, it is still unacceptable for a progressive, educated state like Goa,” he said.
Godinho noted a 17% reduction in road accidents, attributing it to engineering corrections at black spots funded through central grants via the State Road Safety Council. However, he said government and police efforts would be ineffective unless the public took road safety seriously.
Citing stunt riding, failure to wear helmets and seatbelts, and drunk driving as major risks to youth, he suggested social groups designate a sober driver to ensure everyone reaches home safely.
The event was attended by Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar, Transport Secretary Mahesh Kumar Shambhu, Director of Transport Arvind Khutkar, GOACAN Convenor Roland Martins and MES College Principal Dr Manasvi Kamat.
