PANAJI
The State saw a drop in accidents yet road fatalities have shown no improvement. Official figures indicate that the total number of accidents fell by 9.75 per cent -- from 2,144 in 2023 to 1,935 in 2024 – and a marginal decrease in grievous and minor injuries.
As per the data for January to September 2024, available with The Goan, the number of challans issued surged for serious traffic offenses consisting of 49,518 issued for dangerous parking; 26,517 for helmetless riding; 14,161 for over-speeding; and 3,790 for drunken driving -- nearly three times the count of last year’s corresponding period.
The Jan-Sept 2023 period saw 29,676 penalties for helmetless riding, 8,767 for over-speeding and 1,293 for drunken driving. DySP Traffic (North) Shailesh Narvekar stated these three offenses are major contributors to accidents.
“Regular enforcement drives, especially over weekends, have recorded a noticeable improvement in adherence to traffic rules. People are abiding by the road discipline also to avoid hefty penalties,” he said, speaking to The Goan. The overall challans saw an almost 20 percent drop – from 4,08,310 from Jan-Sept 2023 to 3,27,251 during the corresponding period this year.
However, fatal accident figures remain virtually unchanged. From Jan-September 2024, 207 fatal accidents led to 219 deaths, barely differing from 2023’s count of 203 fatal accidents with an identical 219 deaths.
Motorcyclists continue to be the most affected, with rider deaths slightly decreasing from 127 from Jan-Sept 2023 to 125 this corresponding period, and pillion fatalities seeing a small rise from 27 last year to 31 deaths this year.
