Team Herald
MARGAO: Goa Police have booked 61,645 individuals for various violations of the Motor Vehicles Act in the first seven months of this year, but the crackdown has yet to have an impact on the number of accidents in the State.
Notably, only two cases of Motor Vehicle Act violations were booked by the Fatorda Police, where 65 accidents occurred in the same period, resulting in eight fatalities. Comparatively, last year during the same seven-month period, the Fatorda Police registered 365 cases of violations with four deaths reported.
The most common violations reported statewide include overspeeding, driving without a licence or permit, driving in no-entry zones, drunk driving, failure to use seat belts and helmets, lane indiscipline, and dangerous overtaking. Among the 61,645 cases, Panjim Police recorded the highest with 4,813 cases, followed by Bicholim Police with 4,913, and Collem Police with 4,848. Other notable numbers include Verna Police with 789 cases, Porvorim Police with 1,245, and Old Goa Police with 3,942 cases. Up to July this year, the number of road fatalities statewide reached 184.
A senior police officer attributed the persistent accidents to driver negligence, despite awareness of traffic laws and safety protocols. He emphasised that accidents often occur when motorists ignore safety practices like wearing seat belts and helmets, overspeed, or engage in distracted driving, such
as using mobile phones while driving.
Margao local Mahesh Nayak echoed these concerns, pointing out that vehicles driven at high speeds are more prone to accidents. He also highlighted the dangers of driving under the influence, which often results in fatal accidents. Nayak added that head injuries are often the result of not wearing helmets, and the absence of seat belts in four-wheelers leads to more severe injuries in major accidents.
Margao-based advocate Priyesh Madkaiker supported these findings, noting that studies have shown that wearing seatbelts and helmets can significantly reduce the risk of injury in an accident. Meanwhile, a traffic official in Margao mentioned that the traffic cell is working to educate drivers and riders about road safety to reduce accidents.