I am not from the transport authority, but right now I am burning with anger on murderers, at the same time I am hurt with sadness, looking at the innocent deaths on Goan roads. Not a single day goes by without a death on the road.
During my 3 week stay in Goa, I could see how people drive and ride (Main Roads and even internal roads). This has been going for years, and now it looks like no one wants to change. It’s the old and young, ladies and men, boys and girls. I could see the Ego and Attitude people have once they land on the road. Happened to me once on a busy Borda (Margao) road when a guy on a bike just came on to the main road without even looking at the onward traffic. My presence of mind prevented myself dashing against him. When I just happened to signal at him about this, he had the audacity to shout the classiest of Goan Konkani Bad Words and threaten to physically hit me (I could have physically countered him back too, but then I realised this idiot was half drunk and since I was traveling back out of India in a few days, I just started my bike and went away).
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Kadamba drivers and tourists taxi drivers are no less, the later are known for high speed and reckless driving along the coastal belt. Many a times they are rude to other commuters, if they are questioned about their road antics.
Patience is the key on road but looks like most don’t have that. I could see people just skipping red signals (Fatorda Stadium signal and Margao Old Marker signal to name some). Reckless driving/riding on high speeds even on narrow village roads is common. Use of mobile phones while driving and nowadays while riding too, no entry, broken or no number plates, dark tinting, dangerous overtaking from the left and the list goes on.
Most of the time RTO officers are rude when you even ask them in a polite manner. They are least bothered about public safety, but keep themselves too busy in collecting fines.
A few days back the important Gogol (Margao) junction signal was not working for many days. Not a single policeman was present that time, while atleast three policemen were busy collecting fines a few meters away from the junction. I stopped and asked one of the officers, as to why there was no police personnel controlling traffic at the junction. His answer was — who are you to question me? Without any further discussion, I went my way.
While bad roads in many places are also to be blamed, I also wholeheartedly blame the authorities for no severe punishment for these murderers, which makes them repeat the offences. Some culprits get away with their godfather politicians backing.
If one is not bothered about their own life, please go ahead and happily get your own life, but my humble request is – please don’t take innocent lives away or injure others (sometimes for a lifetime) for no fault of theirs. I am sure no one would drive/ride recklessly and kill their own family member on the road.
Will things change? Well I hope, when I am back on the Goan road next.
