MAPUSA
Blaming individuals and institutional failure for the rise in accidents in the State, noted campaigner & Coordinator of GOACAN Roland Martins said government agencies should quickly come out with a detailed analysis about a road mishap when it takes place and also put forward recommendations to mend errors.
Martins also said that service clubs, schools and other social organisations should be involved in creating mass awareness of road safety so that the message about safe driving percolates to every segment of society.
COMBINATION OF FACTORS
The GOACAN coordinator informed that a combination of several factors such as sleep deprivation, lane driving and intense heat has led to the increase in road mishaps which needs to be analysed and only then the precautionary measures need to be adopted.
He said of late, several accidents have happened early in the morning when young people return after attending parties.
“People who attend parties may or may have not consumed alcohol, but the fact they return early in the morning after attending a party indicates that they have been deprived of sleep. The drivers may doze on the wheel or may just pass out leading to fatal accidents,” Martins said and reinforced the need to study the pattern very closely.
He also stressed that the concept of lane driving was yet to catch up with the Goans.
“People are not used to the culture of demarcating lanes. The new roads have a lane system which many Goans are not used to. Several accidents have taken place due to wrong entry into lanes,” he said.
The intense heat which forces people to drive vehicles with the air condition on could also possibly lead to accidents.
“The heat wave condition should also be looked into very seriously. When you are facing AC continuously for four to five hours, people may face drowsiness. This could be avoided by putting the AC off after every three two to three hours,” Martins observed.
RECKLESS DRIVING
Martins informed that one of the most common causes for accidents to take place is rash and negligent driving on the part of the rider and the driver.
“Triple seat and helmetless riding, overtaking from the wrong side are the most common offences that people commit in the State,” he said.
He further informed that people have become very impatient and in a bid to reach their destination first commit costly errors while driving.
MISSING SIGNAGES
Many roads do not have boards indicating traffic signs and road widening works have been carried out without following standard operating procedures.
“Highways and new roads have been constructed but traffic signages have not been put up. Most of the time the speed breakers are not painted, which catches an unsuspecting driver by surprise, resulting in accidents,” Martins informed.
POOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The GOACAN coordinator observed that one of the key reasons for the rise in vehicular population is poor public transport.
“We do not have a good public transport system. People have no alternative but to buy vehicles for self-use,” he said.
THE WAY OUT
Martins informed that awareness and taking corrective steps by government agencies were two crucial aspects to find a solution to the problem.
“GOACAN is convinced that this Road Safety Week can provide all stakeholders, government and non-government, a great opportunity to get their act together to work for Road Safety & Traffic Management at the village, town, taluka and the district level,” Martins said.
He said various agencies must work together to bring about safety on roads.
“Police must do an analysis as soon as accidents occur and also give recommendations so that there is no repeat of such acts,” he said.
