The two fatal accidents involving rental cars within less than a week have rekindled concern over irresponsible driving by a large chunk of holidayers visiting Goa. While several violations are often reported – and social media is proof - these vehicles are surprisingly involved in less than 25 per cent of accidents.
In fact, Goa-registered vehicles were involved in over 78 per cent of around 2,800 accidents in 2023. A total of 52 accidents were registered against rent-a-cabs, 24 rent-a-bikes, and 517 accidents involving vehicles from other states.
At least 10 accidents involving rental vehicles have been reported this year so far with the latest involving two minor accidents on a single day on Saturday morning. A biker was injured in a hit-and-run at Corlim while alert citizens caught hold of the tourist driver. Minutes later a private car, which was illegally rented out to a tourist, met with an accident at Mopa. The driver and occupants were confronted by the locals, and the police were called in.
The two heart-wrenching accidents at Arambol where two cousins on a bike lost their lives; and the other at the Mandovi Bridge where a drunk and reckless driver from Odisha collided with a casino employee’s bike -- resulting in a fatal plunge into the river – has heightened fears of dangerous driving.
While the total number of accidents is far less than those involving Goa-registered vehicles, these rental cars and bikes unarguably are involved in several violations.
In response to these cases, the government made speed governors mandatory for rent-a-cars as the authorities are optimistic it will enhance road discipline, ultimately reducing accidents. The Transport Department has already initiated the process of ensuring that each of the 5,972 rental cars is equipped with speed governor.
Is the department confident that
operators will adhere to directions?
A senior officer, wishing anonymity, said that failure to comply would result in a penalty of Rs 10,000, followed by suspension of licenses/permits and impounding of these vehicles.
Now that the deadline of March 11 (for the ADTs to submit action-taken reports to the department) is inching closer, the authorities including the transport, police and road safety organizations are holding awareness campaigns to ensure compliance by the operators. “First education and then legal action,” the officer warned.
How will enforcers monitor
the speed limit?
"We have AI and surveillance cameras installed across various locations in Goa. If these rent-a-cars exceed the speed limit, the cameras will capture the violation, and fines will be issued to the vehicle owners. Therefore, it is for rent-a-car operators to issue stern warnings to their clients before handing over the keys,” the officer replied.
The Transport Department and the Traffic Cell have collaborated to crack down on violations by the rent-a-cars, as well as to identify other offending vehicles.
“The traffic police are short-staffed, but we are managing with the existing strength besides sourcing staff from other units in Goa Police and the home guards,” a traffic officer said.
Rule of speed governor
always existed
Government sources revealed that the rule mandating speed governors for commercial vehicles, including rent-a-cars, has been in place since 2015. The source maintained that the implementation of speed governors is not a new initiative but rather a long-overdue enforcement, which has been lagging by nine years.
"The public and operators cannot give excuses... The rule has been in effect since 2015,” he added.
New registrations ceased
a decade ago
New registrations for rent-a-cars stopped in 2013-14 with the department only allowing replacement within 6-7 years of the old vehicle's usage. Rent-a-cars are valid for 6-7 years, while rent-a-bikes have an 8-year validity period. Goa has 5,972 registered rent-a-cars and 21,360 rent-a-bikes.
