HERALD: How are Goa Police looking to strengthen their traffic wing for effective enforcement?
Vimal Anand Gupta : Goa Police are very serious about the issue of traffic violations that lead to the majority of the accidents in the State. I would like to point out the very important issue of road engineering which has to be improved. Biggest limitation of the traffic is the road infrastructure. Roads in many places such as Candolim, Baga, Anjuna, which are visited by tourists, are very narrow. Unless more space is created it is not possible to take more volume. It is not because of the inefficiency of the police but it is mainly because of roads accidents are taking place in Goa. To control and curb the accidents the first priority should be given to increase the width of the roads with proper engineering.
HERALD: Why are the police not serious about enforcement at night?
Gupta : We have been taking special drives for drunken driving, without helmet, over speeding, etc even at the night time. We have even carried out 15-day awareness programme all over Goa making citizens aware of the traffic rules. Whenever we are anticipating any problem of traffic during the festivals, traffic staff is always reinforced by deploying IRBN and Home Guards wherever required.
HERALD: Why is the implementation of night patrolling not happening on the coastal belt?
Gupta : We have already issued instructions to all local police stations to carry out the traffic drives even during the night time to curb drunken driving. We are also in process of procuring the alco-meters in bulk which will be given to traffic cell as well as all police stations. Most of the accidents in wee hours are taking place due to drunken driving, so we are very cautious to control it, especially in the coastal villages.
