Goa has the dubious distinction of having the highest accident rate in the country with 1,348 accidents recorded till May 2022, fatalities increased by @ 28% that is 110 fatalities during the current year as against 86 for the corresponding period last year. As per the Centre's data, Goa clocked 109 accidents per lakh of population with no other state even coming close.This is around 4 times the national average of 28 accidents per lakh of population. Though being the smallest state of the realm, Goa has the maximum vehicle density with almost 15.27 lakh vehicles for its @ 16 lakh people. Almost 57, 000 vehicles are registered annually in Goa; 45% of Goan households own a car while the figure for two wheelers is 86%. Given these high figures coupled with the fact that liquor is available cheap and plenty it is not surprising that we have the maximum number of accidents. Stringent laws need to be brought in to check drunken driving, punishment should include mandatory prison terms coupled with stiff pecuniary fines. Another aspect which needs to be looked into is proper signage especially in accident prone areas. Bridge guard rails and barriers should be painted in fluorescent paint so that they are visible even during the night and through pelting rain. Last but not the least, considering that the state is near saturated when it comes to vehicle numbers, automobile ownership should be disincentivised either by levying a form of 'sin' road tax for high end vehicles or to limit vehicle ownership to only two per family.
