TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM The number of road accidents, albeit non-serious ones has shown an increasing trend during this peak season with the government mechanism struggling to effectively implement its preventive plan even though 250-odd traffic personnel, RTO officials and reserved guards have been put on the job to regulate vehicular traffic especially along the coastal belt.
The number of non-Goan registered four-wheelers plying on Goan roads has risen since Christmas-eve and reckless driving has become a norm. Seven cars were piled up on twin Mandovi Bridges on Monday afternoon, minor accidents also involving rental bikes are being reported everyday though most are settled without police complaint.
According to a local taxi driver, vehicles from neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat are seen driving recklessly on the roads. “If we warn them from driving reckless, they pounce at us asking who are we to dictate terms to them. Most of these drivers drive drunk, not only during nights but also during the day time,” he alleged, adding, “Entering into no-entry zone, one way road and overtaking are other common sights. There are cars with dark tinted glasses but traffic police don’t fine them.”
While the scene has been disturbing, the traffic along the northern coastal belt has risen three times more than during normal tourist season.
No traffic official was available for comments despite repeated attempts till late evening.
