Team Herald
MARGAO: The worrying spate of road accidents reported across South Goa last year has spilled over into 2023, with eight people losing their lives in the first eight days of the year alone.
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According to police sources, 29 accidents were reported in the southern district between January 1 and 8, which left several people injured as well.
A majority of those who were killed in the first week of January were two-wheeler riders or pillions, and the rest were pedestrians. Till January 8, Verna reported the highest number of accidents, at nine, followed by five in Ponda, three each in Cuncolim and Fatorda, while two each were reported in Margao, Canacona , Vasco and Curchorem.
The Maina-Curtorim, Mormugao, Quepem and Sanguem police stations reported one accident each.
Margao local Milind Raiker who was a victim of a scooter accident recently, said that fatalities and injuries sustained in road accidents are matters of great concern, especially with the recent surge in accidents. “I had to be hospitalised after my accident and had to rest for three months,” he said, adding that the financial burden and the ordeal of rehabilitation was just not worth being careless on the roads.
In 2022, a total number of 92 people lost their lives in road accidents in South Goa. In addition, scores of road-users were injured in 162 non-fatal accidents reported in the district. 39 of the fatal accidents were reported in Salcete taluka alone, mostly in the Margao police jurisdiction.
These accidents occurred despite police stations booking 31,324 persons under the Motor Vehicle Act for violations such as over speeding, rash driving, driving without licence, and not using seatbelts and helmets.
