The roads of Calangute, Candolim, Arpora-Nagoa and Parra are overburdened with traffic, making riding or driving extremely risky. Adding to this, we have tourists who command their rented vehicles with liquor bottles in their hands. A few locals do the same as well. Law-abiding locals and tourists are greatly affected due to such rash and negligent driving.
We have witnessed several accidents where vehicles went off the roads and hit trees or houses. A few of those accidents could be linked directly or indirectly to the coastal nightlife, in which liquor is easily obtained for a higher price. Many have lost their lives, while others suffered grievous injuries in accidents caused by rash and negligent driving.
Adding to the traffic on village roads are heavy earthmoving machines like road rollers, JCBs or wheel loaders. Nowadays, they move about at any time of the day, hampering the smooth flow of traffic, not to mention confusing and distracting motorists and endangering their lives. They often cause traffic jams during peak traffic hours.
“The tourists are often seen with beer bottles in their hands while either riding or driving. Many major accidents have occurred due to drunken and rash driving by these tourists. They drive their cars in a rash and negligent manner, giving no importance to life and property of other motorists. I would have lost my life under the wheels of a rented car if I did not jump off my bike. The movement of heavy machinery like the road rollers and JCBs should also be restricted on the village roads to avoid traffic jams and accidents,” said Shankar, a Calangute local.
Truck owner Sameer Naik (name changed) said, “The movement of trucks supplying construction material is being monitored by the Traffic Department, but when it comes to heavy earthmoving machinery there is no such restrictions enforced on them. The road rollers, JCB or wheel loaders are seen on our roads at any time of the day. There have been many accidents, minor and major, which have not been reported, but compromised to avoid penalties, etc. If the movement of the heavy earthmoving machinery had to be monitored, a few lives could have been saved. But, in Goa everything is okay a9s long as it goes well.”
The police inspector attached to Calangute’s traffic cell Shaikh Salim said, “The JCB or wheel loader has been categorized as ‘light vehicle’, and there is no such restrictions on their movement on village roads. However, I had suggested a few restrictions on their movement on the roads during peak traffic and school hours. The movement of JCB, wheel loaders or trucks could have been monitored during these hours to avoid traffic jams, etc. Hopefully, something could be done to restrict such machines on village roads in the future.”
