An increasing number of vehicles across the State, large number of tourist vehicles from other States driving into Goa, infrastructure that is not developed, these are the reasons for the increasing number of accidents in Goa, says Deputy Superintendent of Police, Traffic Cell, Dharmesh Angle.
“Though the fact is that the main reason of accidents is rash and negligent driving on the roads, we should also consider that the width of the road has not been increased for years,” Angle said.
He said there are 11.50 lakh vehicles registered with the State Transport Department, with another 70,000 to 80,000 vehicles being added annually. The huge number of vehicles on the roads leading to high density makes people impatient, Angle said, and added that this is the reason why people then increase their speed and cause accidents.
Angle also said that the public transport system in Goa is not well established, which forces people to use their own vehicles to reach their destinations.
According to Angle, every person and agency is responsible for the increase in accidents, beginning with the person buying the vehicle who has the responsibility to drive or ride carefully.
“The main problem in Goa is of infrastructure development. To cater to such huge amounts of traffic we need wider roads. Every few years we have to keep increasing the number of lanes,” Angle said.
The need of the hour is to install electronic signals and cameras with a centralized control room to control the traffic mess, Angle said.
“Most importantly what we need is civic sense among the people. For example people are now wearing helmets but only because the traffic police are imposing fines for not wearing helmets, but the situation will improve only when people will use helmets for their safety,” Angle said.
He said the police visit every spot where there has been a fatal accident and attempt to understand the reasons for the accident and propose remedial measures.
Angle also said that the traffic cell’s proposal to install cameras at 205 locations, traffic signals at 53 locations, pedestrian signals at 20 locations and warning blinkers at 73 locations is pending before the government.
