PANAJI
GOACAN has appealed to the tourism department to put in efforts for road safety awareness among domestic and foreign tourists visiting Goa.
In a letter to the tourism department, GOACAN convenor Roland Martins has highlighted the need for traffic safety awareness among tourists.
Many accidents are occurring in the state where tourists are involved. Recently there was an incident of VIP tourists riding on the Atal Setu wherein two-wheelers are prohibited.
GOACAN has now appealed to the tourism department to make it mandatory to display the 'Don't Drink and Drive' message in the reception area of all hotels, guest houses and lodges.
GOACAN has also demanded that the message be displayed on beach shacks, boat cruises and all other locations at special tourism events.
GOACAN has requested the tourism department to take the initiative to reach out to all stakeholders in the Travel and Tourism industry to make road safety a priority from World Tourism Day 2020 onwards by putting up relevant messages on their websites.
The number of road accidents resulting in injuries and death is on the rise in Goa. Few reasons for these incidents are due to rash and negligent driving, not wearing an ISI marked helmet, not using the seat belt and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Enforcement agencies like Traffic Police and the Directorate of Transport are doing their job but also there is a need of creating awareness among the domestic and foreign tourists about the violations of the MV Act, the penalties that follow and the precautions to be taken, which must be done by the Department of Tourism.
A few days earlier the district road safety council has approved the GOACAN proposal to install 'Don't Drink and Drive' signages in all the Bar and Restaurant premises.
Subsequently, the assistant commissioner of excise issued the necessary circular in February 2019 to display 'Don't Drink and Drive' at excise check Post/OutPost.
