Road accidents in the state have reportedly claimed around 217 lives up to October this year, around 51 more than the figures of the corresponding period last year. In all 23 persons lost their lives in road accidents in October this year as compared to 12 deaths in the corresponding month last year. With 109.4 accidents per lakh population, Goa has the highest accident rate in the country with many highly populated states and union territories behind it. The state's accident rate is four times the national average of 27.6. The main reasons behind the increasing number of road accidents are over speeding, not following traffic rules and distraction while driving. However the major issue is drunk driving. red-light jumping, avoiding seat belts and helmets, non-adherence to lane, driving and overtaking in a wrong manner, talking or texting on the mobile and even watching movies on the car TV. Potholes on the roads and poor road engineering also contribute to accidents. The government needs to take the help of the latest technologies to analyse the reason for so many accidents in the state and take remedial steps.
