It is ironical that on Sunday morning school children held a road safety rally along the D B Marg and hours later there was an accident involving a four-wheeler. Thankfully, there were no casualties but this makes one thing clear: that just rallies and awareness programmes will not help bring any change, unless the mindset changes.
Sources said that most accidents take place due to negligence of riders/drivers, poor road infrastructure and other factors. Traffic PI Sudesh Velip said that youth should be more responsible towards safety on roads.
“During inspections post any accident, the traffic officials observe that either road condition or negligent/reckless riding/driving, increase in volume of traffic, drunken driving, full flash headlights are factors contributing to accidents,” the officer told Herald.
Accidents continue to plague Panjim, even though 2014 saw comparatively fewer mishaps. As per figures available, Panjim saw 379 accidents in the last calendar year, less than the previous year which saw 455-odd accidents.
In Old Goa 239 accidents and Agassaim 157 cases were registered from January 1 to December 27, 2014. A combined figure of fatal accidents in these three jurisdictions were 25 with 25 persons killed.
Recommendations do follow every accident. Take for instance the recent accident on the Ribandar causeway that claimed the lives of at least five persons. Deputy Superintendent of Police (North Goa Traffic) Dharmesh Angle said they have suggested to the government that speed breakers be constructed and speed limits specified in this accident prone zone area, to avoid accidents in future.
In Panjim alone, eight fatal accidents of a total 379 cases were reported last year. The infamous Shobhika Gaur case, who allegedly mowed down two youths on a motorbike on D B Marg in July 2014, is still fresh in memory. The woman, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, left both victims critically injured who later underwent a series of surgeries.
Earlier, in November 2013, a renowned doctor’s father was killed while he was crossing the road with his wife. The car and the driver are yet to be identified.
Panjim PI Rajendra Prabhudesai said they have registered 41 First Information Reports and arrested 35 persons in connection with all these accidents.
The traffic department’s education cell has been on an awareness spree in educational institutions as in most of the accidents, youth are involved. Moreover, taxi drivers, pilots, rickshaw drivers, truck drivers and other sections of the people are also a part of the sensitization programmes.
