When students of Guardian Angel Higher Secondary School in Curchorem recently took part in a rally to remember victims of road mishaps, they were also seeking to highlight the dangers confronting motorists in and around Curchorem.
While Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral claims to have initiated efforts to make roads safer for motorists and pedestrians, he has insisted that motorists too have a responsibility to ensure road safety.
As part of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, students had carried roses, candles and placards displaying road accident scenes, photographs of victims and newspaper cuttings of stories pertaining to road mishaps.
Cabral appealed to the public, especially the students, to avoid driving vehicles on public roads without a valid driving licence and advised people to be cautious while driving and to respect the life of other motorists and pedestrians.
Law enforcement agencies later explained the 10 important tips of road safety, while highlighting the effects of road accidents on families of victims.
Principal Fr Frank Mendes said the day was observed not only for the victims who had lost their lives, but also for families who had suffered the irreparable loss of their near and dear ones in road mishaps.
Later highlighting various reasons for road accidents, a local school teacher, Mangaldas Bhatt, said, “Over speeding and reckless driving, overtaking in restricted areas, speed breakers which do not meet specifications, bad road conditions and the stray cattle on roads have all contributed to accidents in and around Curchorem.”
“Underage drivers and driving without licence have also created problems for genuine drivers. Statistics show that more deaths have taken place in the 15-25 age group, as compared to any other age group. The traffic cell must compulsorily penalize those who are driving without license,” said Bhatt.
Stating that poor traffic discipline and unauthorized bus stops are some of the main causes for road mishaps, Curchorem Traffic Police Inspector Edwin Colaco told Herald that his priority would be to identify accident-prone zones.
“Places like Sanguem, Quepem, Sanvordem and Canacona fall under the jurisdiction of the Curchorem Traffic Cell. I am in the process of identifying accident-prone zones and after undertaking this exercise, I will recommend necessary action to the concerned authorities,” said PI Colaco.
“Over-speeding, illegal speed breakers and unauthorized bus stops are some of the main causes for road accidents,” said PI Colaco. “I have written to the municipalities and village panchayats under our jurisdiction to paint speed breakers and install necessary signboards at the site.”
He said that motorists should change their attitudes and follow traffic rules in letter and spirit, if road mishaps are to be avoided.
“City roads are wider than village roads, but more road accidents take place in cities and highways. Therefore, it is up to motorists to take necessary precautions while driving,” he said.
Cabral also said he had taken a number of steps to prevent road mishaps. “I have streamlined the parking of vehicles in the market. I have also tackled the menace of stray cattle with the help of government vehicles, which have been brought to lift stray cattle from the roads,” said Cabral.
“Around 132 stray cattle have been lifted from Curchorem constituency and have been placed at a farm of the Animal Husbandry Department.I am trying to keep the roads free from potholes in my constituency. Reflectors have been put on some speed-breakers and more will be put on the remaining speed-breakers,” the MLA added.
