HERALD: How successful is the road safety week and how can it be made more effective?
Martins: Earlier only the National Road Safety Week was observed in January every year but since 2011 the Goa State Road Safety Week is observed in the month of September. This Safety Week provides yet another opportunity to create awareness amongst the student community and the public at large. The success of such an activity can be best judged by the rising awareness of the importance of personal safety among riders of two and four wheelers. Increased compliance on the use of ISI marked helmets and seat belts has also been noticed. The greater involvement and participation at the local level by the 189 Village Panchayats and 13 Municipal Councils in this effort will definitely increase the effectiveness of the Road Safety Week.
HERALD: Why aren’t people taking road safety seriously?
Martins: There are over 10 lakh registered vehicles in Goa, an increase of almost 50,000 every year. So the process of imbibing safety norms among the new road users every year is a challenge both among those with driving licences as well as the pedestrians. In fact the UN has dedicated 2011 to 2020 as a Decade of Action for Road Safety for precisely this very reason. Besides governments, it is also a challenge to civil society to make things happen in the area of Road Safety and Traffic Management.
HERALD: How can we improve the safety and traffic management in the city?
Martins: It is important that Municipal Councils and the Corporation of the City of Panaji set up and activate their Road Safety and Traffic Management Committees. This will kick start the implementation of engineering, enforcement and education by the Directorate of Transport and Traffic Police with the support of the local self-governments. From putting up signages to painting zebra crossings, the introduction of dedicated parking areas, traffic lights and CCTV cameras are all part of this exercise.
HERALD: The road accidents in Goa are on the rise, how can they be curtailed?
Martins: Besides the rise in road accidents the increase in the number of deaths is also worrisome. Goa has one person dying in road accident every 27 hours. The reduction will be possible with the involvement of all agencies like driving schools, educational institutions, PTAs, Service Clubs, SHGs, Faith-based groups, Mahila Mandals among others, reaching out with the appeal not to ride or drive in a rash and negligent manner.
HERALD: What methods can be taken to put a check on drunken driving?
Martins: Greater enforcement to curb drunken driving coupled with greater awareness among those who consume alcohol will go a long way to achieve this goal. The dedicated involvement of the Excise Department and the Tourism Department in putting across the ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ message through all their licensed Establishments and Events will be a step in the right direction.
HERALD: Where do you think the traffic authorities fail to curtail or control the rise in accidents?
Martins: Introduction of special enforcement drives from 8 pm to 6 am and on Saturdays and Sundays, Department level specific budget allocation for Engineering, Enforcement and Education, better co-ordination with other allied departments, monitoring of MDRs and certain stretches of the National Highways, special plans for Information, Education and Communication, training and refresher courses for officials, appointment of nodal officers at the Taluka level are some of the steps that need to be taken by the authorities to address the failure to control the rise in road accidents.
HERALD: What efforts have you or your NGO taken in terms of road safety?
Martins: GOACAN has put its efforts in starting a dedicated Road Safety & Traffic Management Campaign by mobilising Consumer Forum volunteers to advocate for the cause of road safety. GOACAN has concentrated on the introduction of the State Road Safety Week, the systematic promotion of Road Safety Patrols in schools, HSS and Colleges, the Traffic Warden Scheme and the setting up of Road Safety & Traffic Management Committees in Panchayats and Municipal Councils. The observation of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on the 3rd Sunday of November and the National Road Safety Week in January are also part of our activities. Street level Awareness Actions on Road Safety has been a regular mode adopted by our volunteers.
