The recent fatal accident on the newly inaugurated Porvorim elevated corridor, in which two lives were reportedly lost, should make us pause and ask an important question: are our roads being designed only for traffic movement, or also for human safety?
This is not to prejudge the cause of the accident. A proper investigation must determine what happened. But road safety cannot always be reduced to driver behaviour. Road geometry, visibility, signage, lane arrangements, speed limits, barriers, lighting, and entry and exit design can all contribute to the likelihood and severity of a crash.
If two-wheelers are prohibited from using an elevated corridor, for example, motorists must receive clear and sufficiently early information before reaching the entry point. A confused or unexpected manoeuvre by a driver should be anticipated as part of the road-safety design.
India recognises engineering as one of the fundamental pillars of road safety. Road-safety audits are intended to identify foreseeable hazards before accidents occur. Therefore, after a serious accident on a newly opened facility, we should ask not only “who was responsible?” but also “could the design or safety arrangements have contributed to the accident?”
An independent engineering and road-safety audit of the Porvorim corridor would therefore be appropriate. It should examine its geometry, signage, visibility, speed environment, barriers, lane arrangements, and entry and exit points.
This is not about blaming engineers, contractors, or authorities. It is about learning from an accident and preventing another tragedy.
A road is not truly successful merely because it moves vehicles faster. It is successful when it moves people safely. Road safety must begin at the drawing board, not at the accident site.
PUAL PEREIRA, Utorda
