The gruesome accident at Verna recently, wherein five persons were crushed and six were injured and the accident wherein a pillion rider died after their motorcycle dashed into a trailer near the Titan junction at Verna, has once again put the spotlight back on the horrifying accidents taking place in Goa.
It is shocking to note that in the first four months of the current year, 981 accidents were reported in Goa, leading to 113 fatalities. Last year there were 982 accidents and 127 deaths in this period.
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Verna has emerged as the killer spot as the highest number of accidents reported this year, namely 84 were registered here, followed by Porvorim where 69 accidents were registered.
In April this year, 245 accidents were registered in which 34 persons lost their lives in different parts of Goa. Of the 113 fatal accidents registered up to April end this year, the highest deaths were reported at Agasaim police station where nine persons died.
Ponda, Maina-Curtorim, Verna, Cuncolim and Margao are the ‘killing fields’ (areas) as most of the fatal accidents reported in South Goa in the last two years occurred in these areas. What is of concern is that nearly half the fatal accidents involved two wheelers.
It Goa roads are certainly more dangerous than terrorism-hit state of Jammu and Kashmir which saw 134 deaths last year and 20 this year. The only difference is the terrorists in Goa are not firing bullets but using steering
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. It’s a shame that so many avoidable deaths are allowed to happen in the State.
First concern is the issuing of driving licences. There has been a long-pending demand to regulate the way people are getting the licences now. 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.
The vehicle users also equally responsible for the accidents by not adhering to safety norms. Overspeeding, drunken driving, lane-cutting, not showing indicators, jumping red signal, not wearing helmets, not fastening seat belts, using mobile phone while driving, driving/riding sans valid licence – are only adding to the blood bath on Goan roads.
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.
Parents of underage children are equally responsible for these accident deaths. By handing over keys of geared vehicles to minors is a crime. There has to be intense road safety awareness campaigns in schools, housing societies and at panchayats.
We need a collective effort to stop this maddening bloodshed on roads caused by reckless driving.
