PANJIM: Goa Police have decided to act against motorists and drivers who fail to give way to pedestrians. The department has decided to prosecute violators, and a large number of traffic personnel will keep watch at significant zebra crossing points and junctions across the State.
From Wednesday strict enforcement will begin at several identified locations, Deputy Inspector General of Police Rupinder Kumar said addressing media persons. “Zebra crossings are intended to give pedestrians the right of way, but these are often ignored by riders/drivers. We are starting a drive to ensure pedestrians cross the road safely using dedicated crossing zones/zebra crossing,” he said in the presence of Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Shekhar Prabhudesai and DySP (North)) Dharmesh Angle.
Police have also urged pedestrians to avoid unorganised crossing and use only zebra crossings. “While motorists/drivers are requested to respect
the right of pedestrian and to drive safely and responsibly, pedestrians are requested to obey traffic rules and make use of pedestrian crossing, as well as avoid jaywalking,” Kumar said refuting apprehensions that the ‘Right of Way’ campaign will be short-lived like other road awareness drives.
The officer stated that additional signanges reading ‘Give Way to Pedestrians at Zebra Crossing’ will be placed in addition to other related sign boards at important locations. “We are placing extra signanges for motorists/drivers to know their stopping point when any pedestrian is waiting to cross the road. Anyone violating the norms will be prosecuted,” he warned.
Re-painting of the existing zebra crossings, and identifying new locations is on the priority list. “In addition to the existing ones, 10 important junctions at Panjim, Mapusa, Mapusa, Margao, Vasco and Ponda have been identified where additional traffic police force will be deployed and ensure the ‘Right of Way’ is not violated,” Angle added.
Conceding that many vehicles are parked on zebra crossings, the officers committed to crack down on the violators.
Police have also begun removing vendors who are a cause of distraction to road users. In his first interaction with the police brass after taking over as Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, had asked the department to vacate vendors who create traffic nuisance particularly on highways and by-pass roads. The traditional ones would, however, stay.
