Drunken driving by tourists continues to pose a threat to lives and property in the coastal villages of Calangute. While there have been several tragic accidents in the villages, the locals are attributing the problem to the nightlife, which lures many tourists to the State.
The nightlife has become a necessity for the growth and survival of tourism in a state like Goa. However, the villagers of Calangute and Candolim are opposed to selling booze throughout the night, which has become a bone of contention due to fatal accidents on Goan roads.
The nightlife has become a major worry for the locals, especially on account of drunken driving. They are afraid of driving on the local roads due to dangerous and reckless driving by tourists or others returning home after enjoying the nightlife. The two-wheeler riders are at a greater risk of meeting with an accident in the early hours of morning.
The Calangute Traffic Cell has been carrying out surprise raids to keep a check on drunken driving, but the same needs to be a regular feature to effectively prevent loss of lives and property.
The tourists visiting the coastal villages of Calangute can be seen with beer bottles in hands while driving cars or motorcycles without caring for the other lives on the roads. At times, they drive or ride at breakneck speed as they care less for the bikes or owners who rent them the vehicles. Pedestrians have also been knocked down while walking along the busy roads of the coastal villages.
“I have been raising my voice against the extension granted to bars till 4 am to generate revenue for the State. It does not augur well for a State to generate revenue by disturbing family life. Many get killed in road accidents due to drunken driving either by tourists or the local youth. Parents anxiously wait for their children to return, but a tragedy occurs due to drunken driving as a result of nightlife entertainment for tourists. What examples are we setting for our future generations with nightlife entertainment?” said Geeta Porob, Mahila Shakti Abhiyan Bardez block president.
She added, “The Goa government should seriously consider the several tragic accidents in Calangute and surrounding areas in the wee hours, including the one in Mapusa where a girl was killed by drunken driving, and come out with concrete measures to curb the ill-effects of nightlife. The nightlife has exposed our lives to danger. Our roads, especially in the coastal villages of Calangute, are no longer safe.”
BJP Yuva President and Calangute ZP member Shawn Martins stated, “It is not essentially due to nightlife that there are more accidents on our roads, but there should be some sense among the tourists and others while enjoying nightlife. Everyone needs to take care and avoid drunken driving to avoid accidents. The police need to conduct regular checks on drunken driving to maintain discipline on our roads.”
Calangute deputy sarpanch Joseph Sequeira stated, “The Calangute panchayats gives licence for commercial establishments to operate till 11 pm. However, the Excise Department grants permission to bars till 4 am, which is conveniently misused by others. The Department needs to keep a check on illegal opening of bars and restaurants late at night without permissions.”
Meanwhile Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said, “We have put in place a traffic cell to keep a regular check on rash, negligent and drunken driving on our roads. The Traffic Cell has fined tourists and others found driving under the influence of alcohol, but the fine is insufficient to stop the offence. We need to change the law for strict and heavy penalty for drunken driving, which could perhaps stop the accidents on our roads.”
