In 2007, statistics showed that 278 families in Goa lost loved ones in road accidents, with nearly 300 deaths annually. Yet, the government has made little effort to address road safety, possibly because it wasn’t a focus in election manifestos.
The solutions are clear, but most are unworkable because traffic constables in Goa lack the respect and power their counterparts in cities like Mumbai enjoy. Constables are often undermined by their superiors, politicians, and road users. When someone is caught violating traffic rules, they can call higher authorities, forcing the constable to back down. As a result, constables target non-Goan registered vehicles, especially tourists driving hired vehicles with yellow number plates.
Traffic officers are often reduced to collecting bribes, and the challenge lies in finding solutions that don’t disrupt this corrupt system. Given the disorganised state of traffic, it might be better for the Transport Department to suspend issuing driving licences. There’s no point in teaching driving rules when they aren’t followed on the roads. No traffic plan will work until it’s clear who is in charge: the traffic cops, politicians, or vehicle owners. Without political will to empower traffic police, efforts like “Safety Week” will be futile.
