Everyday I read the newspapers, I see news about deaths due to accidents either because of rash and negligent driving or due to potholed roads. The young and the old, the ones in good health and bad, gone within seconds… why? Because the ones elected in power – all they are looking for is filling their pockets and see how to have more power in their hands by playing the musical chairs game in politics. Jumping from one political party to the other.
Over the past couple of months ever since the rains have down-poured and tarnished the state of all our roads, all I hear about in the news is about accidents and deaths. Everyday.
Yet our government officials are careless, making empty promises which are never fulfilled. Adding to the sentiments are the new fines. Luckily there was some sensibility shown there atleast, that only once the roads are fixed will the new fines be into power i.e. starting from January, 2020 as reported by the news-portals.
Nonetheless, my interest in writing this article is more because during these months December, January, February, March there is more inflow of vehicles from neighbouring states in addition to the rent-a-bikes, rent-a- cabs, taxis and private vehicles operational in the state, hence the ratio of traffic and accidents will be on a high. During these peak tourist months, there is a big contingent of riders and drivers who visit from outside Goa so warning and traffic signages must be increased by the traffic cell and transport department. It is the responsibility of the state’s lead agency to monitor the situation and ensure that road accidents and death numbers decrease. The lead agency consists of representatives from the department of transport, traffic cell, PWD, department of health services (DHS) and the department of education. Especially during these months a lot of precaution, care and safety measure have to be in place. Given that the flyover work too is still in progress, it will be a chaotic scene for sure.
Furthermore, alcohol is high on the agenda of tourists that visit Goa, while migrants are often left out of awareness campaigns. The tourism department will have to conduct a vociferous campaign to discourage driving under the influence of alcohol through tour operators and bike and car rentals and taxi operators, this is my suggestion for a better and safer Goa.
Recently I read an article about an MBA student of Symbiosis Institute, Pune, who has been managing the traffic on Indore roads with her innovative dance moves. Her unique way to increase traffic awareness among people is literally turning heads. Looking at the number of unemployed in Goa, I think if something like that is done by them – The traffic will be managed way better than the traffic police who nowadays are only concentrating on challaning people on road to meet their targets and are least bothered about controlling the traffic, all thanks to the traffic signals installed in major areas of Goa. At the least – employing the unemployed for road safety is a very innovative way to get the attention of the people. I believe that if the youth teach the young and the old about road safety, it is bound to have a bigger impact on the public and our government servants.
