Ana Marie Fernandes in her article “Traffic Discipline and Goans” have beautifully written about the traffic and the people’s mind set in obeying the traffic rules in the European countries. Having read the article, one can easily conclude that Goa can never be compared an inch to the traffic standards of Europe. Goa being an international tourist spot, a lot can be done about the traffic for the tourists and the locals to have a smooth and safe ride. Had it not been for the unscrupulous and selfish Goan politicians, today Goa would have been shining in the traffic field. For Goa and Goans to see the traffic mess being cleared has become a distant dream while the politicians traffic plans are nothing but cock and bull stories.
Losing lives on roads have become a way of life in Goa. Teenagers are on the run and parents are just out of control. Just one week and about four young boys lost their lives. Some over speeding, one lost control, one is banged by another vehicle. What a loss for families. Whatever is happening is not good. The RTO has to pull up their socks. Last week on my way home from Panjim, I was stopped by a man in his civvies and was asked to show my licence. I asked him if he was a cop. It was true. I was impressed the way cops are out in their civvies trying to catch violators. This is what has to happen and is the need of the hour. Its high time that cops have to go around and see for themselves the havoc the youth of today are causing on the roads, the amount of guys on their cell phones , etc, etc.
The transport minister has to come out with a decision of increasing the fines from rupees one thousand and above and that too to pay on the spot. Hundred or two hundred rupees are peanuts for these youth. Road cameras like in the West is of course next to impossible and Goans should not even dream about.
Too many suggestions, too many premonitions have been given and we can only expect a traffic doom sooner or later. Goan traffic will never ever reach an inch closer to the European standards as long as peoples mind set is the same care a damn attitude and as long as our politicians stop blabbering and start working. God alone save the people from digging their own graves.
