Goa witnessed 245 accidents, 28 fatalities every month from Jan-April this year

MARGAO: The gruesome accident on Saturday at Verna wherein five persons were crushed and six were injured and the accident wherein a pillion rider died after their motorcycle dashed into a trailer near the Titan junction at Verna, show both the nature and the frequency of horrifying accidents taking place in Goa. 

In the first four months of the current year, 981 accidents were reported in Goa as against 982 accidents reported during the same period in 2023.

Incidentally, while the number of accidents have decreased by one, this year, fatalities have also decreased by 14 in 2024. In the first four months of 2023 there were 127 fatal accidents reported as against 113 reported this year.

Verna has emerged as the killer spot as the highest number of accidents reported this year, namely 84 were registered here, followed by Porvorim where 69 accidents were registered.

In April this year, 245 accidents were registered in which 34 persons lost their lives in different parts of Goa. Of the 113 fatal accidents registered up to April end this year, the highest deaths were reported at Agasaim police station where nine persons died.

During the corresponding period in 2023, 127 persons died in accidents, with the highest number reported at  Verna, where 14 persons had died.

Ponda, Maina-Curtorim, Verna, Cuncolim and Margao are the ‘killing fields’ (areas) as most of the fatal accidents reported in South Goa in the last two years occurred in these areas.What is of concern is that nearly half the fatal accidents involved two wheelers

Accident prone areas identified in South Goa are under the jurisdiction of police stations at Ponda, Maina-Curtorim, Verna, Cuncolim, Canacona and Margao.

Margao  resident Sandeep Pedneker  highlighted the need for authorities to survey accident-prone areas to understand the causes and accordingly improve the infrastructure reduce accidents.

Police analysis indicate that most accidents occur during peak hours namely 6pm to 9pm.

Traffic accidents are a major source of death, injury and damage to property every year, said one retired  traffic inspector adding that over speeding is also a main cause of casualties due to accidents.

Another cause of accidents is being distracted while driving, which can have serious consequences, said  senior citizen Ulhas Kerker.

“Using mobile phones while driving increases the risk of accidents as the driver is distracted and not concentrating on driving alone,” he said, adding that use of brakes is affected and even traffic signs are ignored.

Sandeep Pedneker from Curtorim said consuming alcohol or other substances while driving increases the risk of fatal accidents.

Milind Raiker opined that over speeding and over taking is another reason for accidents. “There is a direct relationship between speed and accident and one has to be careful while driving and ensure that speed limits are maintained,” he added.

A retired Traffic PSI said adhering to traffic rules like wearing safety belts, complying with speed limits, wearing helmets, and not driving under influence, is the need of hour for reducing injuries and even deaths.