As a year that saw a slew of traffic accidents each more horrifying than the other, the life-threatening risks on Goa’s roads hasn’t been more in evidence.
The abject disregard shown for fellow-commuters’ safety by some of the more audacious road-users has been a serious cause of concern. With each passing year it has been a story of insensitiveness contributing to the scenario in general.
Accidents are just waiting to happen and a motorist faces an array of road safety challenges. But the question is how careful can one be!
For, no matter how attentive one is on roads, most of the time it is the callousness shown by the less attentive commuters which lead to disastrous consequences for one and all.
To be frank, most of the road accidents stem from human error. However it is inferring the exact ‘nature’ of these human errors, and the causes that lead to it that actually poses a problem.
The other day there was an accident in our neighbourhood involving a motorcycle and a car. It was during the night and the roads were fairly deserted.
A car was coming from one of the bylanes in the city onto the main road. The driver without giving any indication veered to the right and temporarily lost control of the car.
A zooming bike on the main road crashed into the rear of the car. Fortunately no one suffered any injuries. But there was extensive damage to the bike and the rear of the car too bore the impact of the collision.
After an hour-long argument failed to end in any sort of compromise between the two, someone suggested calling the police and registering a case. It was then that one realized their hesitancy in doing so “ for the simple reason that they both were drunk and did not want any ‘unnecessary’ hassles.
They both were aware that drinking and driving is prohibited and yet ….
Then again; last Sunday I was jolted out of my siesta by the news of another mishap.
I was informed that my friend and his wife had met with an accident and were rushed to GMC at Bambolim. Apparently my friend had fallen asleep at the wheel which led to the mishap. In attempting to swerve out of the way of an approaching scooter, which he said he could decipher only as a streak of lightning, he went and crashed into a tree nearby.
Although my friend came out of the accident unscathed, his wife suffered some hairline fractures which necessitated medical attention and subsequent hospitalization. It was later revealed that she was not wearing her seat-belt!
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that every year about 100,000 police-reported, drowsy-driving crashes result in nearly 800 fatalities and about 50,000 injuries. Worldwide it is estimated that between 10% and 20% of all road crashes are fatigue-related.
Allow me to quote from texts on this subject:
“Tired drivers have slower reaction times and suffer from reduced attention, awareness, and ability to control their vehicles. Research suggests driving tired can be as dangerous as drunken driving.”
“Crashes typically involve vehicles running off the road or into the back of another vehicle. They tend to happen at high speeds, because drivers do not brake before crashing, so the risk of death or serious injury is high.”
As if maniacs running amok on our roads and thoroughfares are not enough, commuters will now have to contend with drivers dozing off while driving, if they are not already.
Just as much as ghastly accidents caused due to rash and negligent driving, it is necessary that equal concern is shown for self-accidents caused by drivers nodding off behind the wheel.
There are umpteen ways suggested to prevent drowsy driving. But one is always drawn into a false sense of security under the belief that one is in total and complete control of the vehicle one is handling.
There are many drivers who feel that it is perfectly normal to become cozy, comfortable and to nod off while driving. And it is the more experienced of the lot who nurture such feelings. Pulling over to the side of the road to refresh themselves just does not find a place in their order of priorities.
They are potential dangers for others using the roads. It is necessary that one is alert while at the steering of any vehicle. Staying awake behind the wheel is an important prerequisite of safe driving.
The 12th State Road Safety Week is being observed in Goa from October 6 to 12.
As an article states:
“In a world where mobility is essential, road safety emerges as a shared responsibility that can save countless lives. Road Safety week is an annual wake-up call, underscoring the significance of safe and responsible driving.”
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, while speaking at the inauguration of the 12th Road Safety Week, elaborated upon the need to have people maintain caution on the roads as traffic-accidents have not only claimed lives but have also left an everlasting impact on those injured.
The assurances about providing better roads and the government’s decision to improve road engineering at accident-prone spots so as to minimize the risk of accidents could well pave the way for better commuting experience on Goan roads.
If the hefty amount collected by way of fines for a state as small as Goa is any indication, traffic violation is a ‘passion’ among people here. Let us also not forget the ‘contribution’ made by the tourists!
However, with the number of well-attended programmes conducted round the year in rural and urban areas in the state, it would be wrong to claim an acute lack of road safety awareness amongst people. It is just that ‘many drivers have internalized bad or unsafe driving habits that make their driving riskier’.
