PANAJI
Seven deaths in 72 hours have once again put the spotlight on the alarming rise in road accidents in the State, which has already recorded close to 1,900 mishaps this year. As many as 200 persons have lost their lives to 188 fatal accidents so far.
Exactly a week after Ganesh Chaturthi, four deaths on a single day sent shockwaves to the State. Sanika Karbe (19), Priyanka Kharbe (29), Siddhi Shetkar (13), Pratik Kanolkar (22) and Laxman Malik (19) were killed in two separate accidents at Mandrem and Pethwada-Nanora junction respectively on Saturday.
In yet another mishap early Monday morning, a goods carrier driver, Niyaz Zari from Vasco, died in a hit-and-run case.
As per official data, the State has recorded around 1,824 accidents from January 1 till date, which averages to seven accidents per day and one death every 31 hours. Besides the fatalities, around 187 persons have been seriously injured in 143 accidents while about 566 sustained minor injuries in 369 cases.
Major damage to vehicles has been reported in 1,496 incidents.
Drunken driving, reckless driving and riding without a helmet have been the three main reasons for accidents amid several traffic violations and challans issued.
Director General of Police Alok Kumar has already stressed the need for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, admitting that drivers often share real-time information to evade checkpoints. In a recent conversation with The Goan, the DGP insisted on the need to strengthen nakas to curb violations.
The opposition has now seized the opportunity to criticize the government with Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao taking to the social media to slam Goa’s poor road safety record.
“Goa has already recorded 16346 accidents in the past six and half years. Horrifying number of fatal accidents in Goa. In the last 69 months, 16349 accidents are reported, in which 953 persons have lost their lives. Goa CM failed to reduce road accidents. Need road safety management plan to save lives. Identify hotspots, faulty road designs, potholes,” he posted.
