For the last few months we have been witnessing an alarming trend of people meeting with self-accidents in Goa, which are turning out to be fatal.
Despite being the smallest State in the country in terms of geographical area, the accident rate is unacceptably high. On an average, there is at least one fatal accident on the State’s roads.
Many of them are actually self-accidents, where the accident is caused due to the driver’s own fault and no other vehicle is involved in the mishap.
The irony is most of these triggers for self-accidents are avoidable. Yet blood is literally flowing like water on the streets of Goa.
In 2021 there were 132 people killed in self-accidents, in 2022 the number was exactly the same 132, and in 2023 there was a slight decrease at 120. These are unacceptable numbers.
After every tragedy, the government assures strict measures against road accidents. Despite assurances, it is now evident that neither the central government nor the State government has got any road map to curb this menace of road accidents.
Meanwhile, Goa continues to witness the scourge of high-speeding vehicles and non-compliance with traffic rules. These incidents raise questions about the government’s commitment towards addressing safety concerns at accident-prone junctions.
There are too many gaps in the system, which the NGOs and media have been highlighting, but the government seems to be in a state of permanent slumber.
First concern is the issuing of driving licences. There has been a long-pending demand to regulate the way people are being granted licences. The driving schools have become agents. But nothing seems to be happening. Moreover, the driving tests conducted by the RTO are archaic as they provide no evaluation of the driver’s real-life driving skills and behaviour.
The vehicular population in the State has increased, but barring the national highways, the condition of rest of the roads in Goa is poor. Almost every arterial road in Panjim has been dug, leaving the capital in a mess. Moreover, the illumination around these sites is missing.
But, blaming the administration alone is not enough. The vehicle users are also equally responsible for the accidents by not adhering to safety norms. Overspeeding, drunken driving, lane-cutting, not showing indicators, jumping red signals, not wearing helmets, not fastening seat belts, using cellphones while driving, driving/riding sans valid licence – are some of the key concerns.
The buck stops at each one of us for preventing road accidents. Besides, the government has to push for strengthening the public transport system to take the automobiles off the road and reduce the vehicle load.
Also, there has to be curbs on easy availability of liquor. It is appalling that maximum tourists consider Goa as a liquor and party destination. Unless there is a complete image makeover of the State and strict control over liquor availability, the accidents won’t stop.
Best way to prevent accidents and loss of innocent lives is to create road safety awareness amongst parents and teachers. Also awareness programmes should be held at panchayat-level.
Just like there is no one factor responsible for the fatal road accidents, there is no quick fix solution available to stop the menace. This requires detailed planning, meticulous execution and a strong-willed administration.
Crack down on traffic rule violators – be it a local or a tourist – because it’s not just a tourist causing mishaps, even the locals are responsible for it. It is time to crack the whip and get going behind the rogue elements on the roads. Every drop of blood counts. We have lost more lives on the roads than on the borders fighting the enemy. It’s a shame!