The alarming rate of road accidents in Goa is a matter of great concern. But sadly, the government is indifferent to the rising malaise and not bothered at all to take necessary steps to control this menace. Every year hundreds of innocent lives are lost and others suffering due to serious injuries resulting in permanent disability on account of road accidents. Not a single day passes without the unpleasant news about accidents in this tiny state. In spite of this, our transport minister is on record saying that he feels proud because the number of road accidents this year is lesser. What a reason to rejoice!
The transport department is only interested in implementing the helmet rule and no other traffic rule. There is no check and control on over speeding, drunken driving, rash and negligent driving, driving on the wrong side, overtaking on left hand side, wayward parking, parking at dangerous spots, overloading, multiple pillion riding, driving in no entry zones etc. Driving in the cities is a nightmare with two wheelers posing a major threat with their stunts and pedestrians crossing the road indiscriminately oblivious of the flow of traffic. After 8 p.m. traffic rules in Goa are non-existent.
Narrow roads with large, deep potholes and craters both in the middle and sides of the roads are one of the main causes of road accidents. Drivers in an attempt to avoid the potholes crash into the oncoming vehicles. Two wheeler riders including college students and ladies have no manners and drive recklessly without any traffic sense at all.
Tourists coming from outside the state drive recklessly and are involved in most of the accidents. Many of the drivers of these vehicles drive under the influence of alcohol and cause accidents putting lives of citizens in danger.
The high incidence of road accidents in Goa is an age old problem. It is about time the government implement traffic rules rigorously with punitive action on delinquent drivers, lest Goa will be famous (or infamous?) as one of the most accident prone destinations in the world.
