Team Herald
MARGAO: A 46-year-old scooter rider, Filip Andrew Pereira from Mandap, Navelim, lost his life on Saturday morning after a car collided with his two-wheeler at Dando, Navelim.
According to Margao police, the accident occurred when car driver Rowan Kayne Rebello was allegedly speeding and driving recklessly while heading from Nagmodem towards Navelim Church. His car hit Pereira’s scooter from behind, causing the rider to crash into the windshield before falling onto the road. The impact left Pereira with severe head and body injuries. He was rushed to the South Goa District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Police have registered an offence against Rebello under Sections 281 and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, for rash and negligent driving endangering human life.
The man’s death prompted citizens of Navelim, backed by the National Students Union of India (NSUI), to call for immediate traffic management reforms, particularly focusing on the diversion of heavy vehicles during peak hours. The demand came through a detailed memorandum submitted to PI Sanjay Dalvi of the Margao Traffic Cell recently.
The petition specifically addresses the critical time slots of 7 am to 9 am and 12 pm to 3.30 pm, when traffic congestion reaches its peak, coinciding with school and college hours. This congestion has been causing significant delays and safety risks, particularly affecting students, parents, and local residents.
The citizens have highlighted several urgent requirements, including the restoration of a defunct traffic signal at the Navelim Church junction and the permanent deployment of traffic police personnel at both the Navelim Church junction and the Belem-Navelim intersection. The traffic signal issue has remained unresolved for years, contributing to the area's traffic management challenges.