Factually, Maharashtra tops the list in accidental deaths every year as on average 15,000 people lose their lives due to mishaps in the State.
So in a month, roughly 1,025 accidental deaths are recorded in the neighbouring State. In comparison, Goa attracts around 60 to 70 lakh visitors annually but the annual accidental death toll is comparable to monthly statistics of Maharashtra.
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However, it certainly is worrisome that Goa has witnessed increase in road mishaps and accidental deaths in the last four to five years. The majority of deaths reported in the mishaps from last 10 months include youth from 18 to 30 years of age. When persons lose their lives at such a prime stage of their journey, their families are bound to be naturally grief-stricken.
According to traffic police, 90% of the road accidents occur due to driving or riding irresponsibly and that is true to a great extent. Many Goan NGOs have been working towards awareness regarding traffic regulations, rules and the necessary control over the vehicle for the past several years. Unfortunately, it goes in one ear and out the other. As per the Department of Transport, 228 persons have lost their lives in 2,365 accidents till October. In October, 15 people died in 224 accidents. Needless to say, the number has definitely gone up since then. Four-wheelers were involved in most of these accidents which took place on the straight highways. What is concerning is that most of these accidents occurred in the broad daylight.
It’s safe to say that unnecessary attraction towards over-speeding has led to these accidents. The question is how to reduce the number of these accidents? Traffic Police are mostly deployed either on steep ascent or on a curve where the vehicle’s speed is naturally slow. This is where the motorists without helmets, seat-belts and documents are caught hold. This may increase the government’s revenue but will not decrease the number of accidents. Sometimes speed cameras capture the vehicle which has violated the speed limits and an e-challan is then issued to the motorists. However, these speed cameras are not installed everywhere and even if they were, it will not help in reducing the accidents.
Road Safety Week is organised, street plays are performed and lectures on traffic literacy are held throughout the State but it has not reflected in actual change in the motorists.
Unfortunately, it is highly likely that the number of accidents in Goa by the end of December may cross the mark of 2,500. Tourists opt for rental of four and two-wheelers but do not take enough precautions while driving them. Sometimes the people do not listen to the traffic police either. A few days back a video of a tourist escaping police at Mapusa-Siolim road went viral on social media. The police then hunted down the violator, made him urge the people to follow traffic rules, recorded his video and posted it on the social media.
The Police usually do not stop tourist vehicles as it might affect the tourism sector in the State. However, the visitors take advantage of this which is why many a times, motorists under influence of alcohol escape police check. Police launched a campaign using alcometers by checking motorists during midnight however the campaign was short-lived, much like the lifespan of the alcometers. Mauvin Godinho became a target after he stated that dropping the drunken person home would be bar owners’ responsibility.
Amidst the myriad of suggestions, the only way to reduce mishaps is to take strategic decisions.
The Department of Transport, Public Works Department, police, psychologists and other experts should be part of the team which can draft such a strategic plan. It should also be pondered upon whether certain decisions can be taken over easily available alcohol, drugs and vehicles on rent in the State. Driving trainers cite five reasons behind any accidents which are DVRCO; D-Driving, V-Vehicle, R-Road, C-Climate and O-Others. 95% of the times the reason turns out to be driver’s fault. The rate of accidents caused by mist, bad road conditions, or vehicle breakdown is far too less when taking into consideration the total number of accidents. On an average, 1,264 road accidents and 462 accidental deaths are reported in India daily. The numbers stand at 53 if calculated per hour with 19 people losing their lives. There has been 16% increase in the road accidents in the country as compared to last year. The numbers are worrisome but what is more concerning is that many a times, innocent lives are lost due to someone else’s negligence.
