has been popular
with the youth. It is used to display one’s skills on the bike as well as race
at dramatic speeds. Drag races are common with regulars informed of the day and
time in advance and this exercise means the entire stretch of road is taken
over, the cops don’t seem to be doing anything and the situation is made worse
by the fact that signs are not present on the stretch to indicate the top speed
allowed on the stretch. Café spoke to various people, including stakeholders to
get their views on this sad state of affairs
Let us start of by stating the obvious, this is irresponsible
parenting. This has been going on for ages on Donna Paula to Bambolim and other
similar stretches. The police are doing absolutely nothing. The speed at which
these boys move at the police cannot catch them. Anything over 90 kms is beyond
the police and they spend their time catching people moving in the 40-65 km
range. The police in Verna are aware but do nothing. The government I am sure
are aware at least of two people who are involved in these races and arrest
them. They should be made an example of the tough treatment meted out to those
who break the law. These people drive irresponsibly and are a danger to
themselves and others on the road. This is like attempting murder and they
should be treated accordingly. The deaths of the three boys is very sad but
also could have been avoidable
– NITIN KUNKOLIENKAR National President MAIT
The prime question is how these boys are getting access to
vehicles in the first place. Clearly somebody in authority, a parent or
guardian had given these boys access to a vehicle. The solution seems to be
education drives aimed at parents reminding them of the consequences of letting
underage untrained drivers behind the wheel and explaining how they are not
only a danger to themselves but other drivers who are just going about
following the rules
– JASON FERNANDES Founder, TokenJay.TV
There is a spotlight on Verna as far as racing or stunting in
concerned. However, it is not such an easy topic. I would imagine containing
dhiros has the same response. What do you do? The action apparently has shifted
to Quitol as there is some focus on Verna. Assume the police arrive on the
scene. What can they do. You are not banned from being in the area. You can sit
in your car and have a converstaion. OK, they can catch minors driving, riding.
The solution lies with the racers. They need to be aware of the risks, but the
riskier the stunt the more the thrill. Many are adults and not all are minors.
The Verna Industries Association is still figuring out what is to be done to
prevent the deaths. We do hope good sense will prevail all around and things
will get better soon
– BLAISE COSTABIR President Verna Industrial Estate
It’s really unfortunate that accidents at Verna Industrial
Estate have become the order of the day and has cost the lives recently. The
Government of Goa in consultation with Traffic Cell should initiate strict
measures not to allow misadventures of various biking groups who come in large
numbers on weekends at Verna. It is observed that groups enact various stunts to
impress the by standers and in bargain get themselves seriously injured. There
has to be an end to this misadventure and even parents should be more vigilant
while handing over their cars and Bikes to their children who not only risk
their lives but also the public at large
– SIDHARTH MEHTA, Businessman Margao
To be honest I love bikes and go around with my friends for long
rides to different places in Goa. But the incident at Verna which came to light
is most unfortunate and needs to be addressed with sincerity not only by the
administration but public at large. The system can enforce law like wearing
Helmets ETC. I feel it’s the moral responsibility of all youth to have road
sense. Verna incident is an eye opener to all families that road safety is a
state of mind
– WAHID SHEIKH, Student, Rosary College of Commerce and
Arts, Navelim
There is nothing above safety. We all have seen road rage and
selfie stunts and also instances of youth getting so engrossed in their mobile
phones that many have lost their lives. The Goa police needs to address this by
having sign boards and safety measures by deploying patrol vehicle particularly
at locations where such take place. We should not compromise on road safety
even if certain strict measures have to be enforced after all public safety is
supreme
– SUMIT, student, Nuvem
What the situation demands is some action, the policies present
have to be implemented honestly. The police have to be present on the roads and
ensure such behaviour stops. I have heard stories of drag racing taking place
in various parts of Goa but never seen it happen around me. It is very
dangerous and needs to be stopped
– AMAN SARUP Manager Bavaria motors Pvt Ltd
You cannot expect cops to be present 24 hours. Blame can be placed
on the communities’ present in the area. The people present there can take
responsibility and act as a traffic sentinel or make calls to the authorities
because you have to also remember the road is not meant for big lorries that
bring and take goods to and from the industrial estate. Signs have to be
installed stating that no drag races are allowed here. The road, please
remember is meant to provide access to industrial plots. I think this can be
curbed by installing rumblers every 100 metres because drag races are over a
quarter mile distance. These initiatives need to be undertaken soon
– MOSES PINTO AUTHOR – Practice traffic yoga
Whenever we get this kind of info, we take action. We have
information that such activities take place in Taleigao, we take rounds and we
take action. The stretch of road where the accident took place was a new
temporary road which explains why there were no signages. With regards to why
police are not present on that specific stretch, that question cannot be
answered by me but by the PI at MainaCurtorim
– DHARMESH ANGLE DSP Traffic
The parents have to be aware of what their kids are up to.
People who don’t have license should not be allowed to drive. This particular
spot is dangerous and there were three to four accidents which thankfully did
not result in any death. We need a camera in that place and increased
patrolling. If anyone is found driving fast and causing an accident then their
license should be taken away and they should be banned from driving for life.
Strict action should be taken
– VIJAY AINAPURKAR Head HR, Watson Pharmaceuticals
First of all, the parents should keep a close eye on their
children at least until they’re 18. Taking away a car to drive and their
parents not knowing is unacceptable, that too when the children travelled so
far from home. So parenting is certainly to be blamed. The cops are aware that
illegal races take place at this stretch. Why can’t they install CCTV cameras?
Getting sponsorship from the industries around shouldn’t be a problem, right?
It surely would be a deterrent
– OMI, Vasco-Da-Gama
An example should be set by arresting the parents. This is like
a culpable homicide. The children were only 13-14 yrs old. How could the
parents not know about what’s happening? As far as the cops go, apart from
‘challaning’ Goans and tourists, they should act on such important issues
– DOMNIC PAES, Margao
Children watch movies which has a huge impact on kids. Many of
them tend to think life is a race. It is important that schools conduct
sessions on road safety and children as young as those studying in the third
standard should be present. This will also then provide them with reality and
they will realise that pictures in the movie present only one side of the
picture. Grass is always green on other side; impact is what the kids should
know. Having a police station in and around the locality or not is not the
issue, parents should explain to their kids the day to day affairs happening in
the state or country related to road safety or other. The police can control
some things but not everything
– CLESITO FERNANDES, Fatorda
The mindset of youth should change, many of whom believe they
have an unauthorised badge which entitles them to do whatever they want leading
to such accidents. These days it is seen if someone tries to even overtake you,
it can end in road rage. Such incidents lead to massive traffic jams and
accidents costing lives and trends indicate that most of the deceased are under
the age of 35. The incident at Verna needs to be condemned and is most
unfortunate. The patrolling by Goa police should be increased and speed
governors and speed breakers should be put in place so that bikers don’t over
speed on the said stretch of area
– VILAS GOKUL, Fatorda, Self Employed
Goa police has to initiate steps like identifying all places
where such incidents have seen a sharp rise of accidents. we Lost many lives
due to stunts, Influence of alcohol and Road Rage. It’s a collective effort of
the local administration and Public which needs to work in hand so that we have
better roads and traffic rules obeyed by large
– MAHESH NAVENKAR, Margao Self Employed,
The Verna road is famous for such races, it’s not new. Cops
should have taken some control measures instead of waiting for such incidents.
Almost every weekend you see dozens of college guys in drag races. Some girls
even come there as cheer leaders
–
ASHLESH AJGAONKAR, Camurlim, Mapusa
