TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: After issuing almost 320 challans to erring school and college students to inculcate traffic discipline and deter violation of Motor Vehicle Act rules and regulations, Transport Department’s extensive drive against students will be suspended as educational institutions break for Christmas holidays, beginning December 23.
The department has decided to re-launch the drive from January 2 when schools and colleges re-open. In view of increasing number of road accidents especially involving youth riding two-wheelers, the department launched a special enforcement drive near all educational institutions from December 18. On the very first day, 260 students were issued challans while on the second day, December 20, 60 students were fined. December 19 being a public holiday due to Goa Liberation day the institutions were closed.
Director of Transport Arun Dessai said that total 260 challans have been issued to students, who were found riding two-wheelers without licence, vehicle documents or helmet. “They have been fined Rs 100 each and warned that any further violations, would force the department to file a charge-sheet against the vehicle owner,” he said.
The department’s drive was prompted by the death of three college students who were driving recklessly triple seat on a two-wheeler while they were returning from a trip to Bondla zoo.
Department statistics reveal that a total of 4,087 road accidents have been reported as on December 16, which include 225 fatal accidents and 242 deaths. Two-wheelers comprise 68 percent of Goa’s total vehicle
population.
