SHYAM ZAMBAULIKAR
MARGAO: Across Salcete’s 66 villages, 28 persons were killed in road traffic accidents till October 9 this year and over 100 persons injured in 53 non-fatal accidents reported in the same time frame, despite the police cracking the whip with nakabandhis and road safety enforcement drives.
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Of the fatal accidents, Margao accounted for 10 deaths, while eight people died within Maina Curtorim police station limits; four road-users were killed in Colva, and three each were killed in Cuncolim and Fatorda.
In addition, 53 non-fatal accidents were reported in Salcete’s villages, of which 17 each occurred in Maina Curtorim and Fatorda, nine in Margao and five each in Colva and Cuncolim. These are just the accidents that were registered by the police, while there are dozens that go unreported wherein the motorists involved resolve the dispute with a ‘settlement’.
Social worker Ulhas Kerker said that road accidents could be easily prevented if motorists were more aware while driving and zealous in obeying traffic rules. “We should learn from the mistakes we commit while driving on the road,” said Kerker.
A traffic constable said that pedestrian carelessness and jaywalking, overloading of vehicles and poor headlights also lead to accidents, apart from unavoidable factors like brake failures or tyres bursting. Poor road conditions like potholes, illegal speed breakers and non-functioning of streetlights also contribute to the high number of road mishaps in Salcete, he added.
