Shyam Zambauliker | NT
MARGAO
Despite various preventive measures being taken, and the cops being on their toes, deaths due to road accidents have been rising day-by-day in South Goa.
Even as the traffic police from South Goa are working on to lower the rate of accidents by a well-balanced accident prevention scheme comprising enforcement, education, engineering and motor vehicle administration, it is unfortunately true that in last 8 months 86 fatal accidents and 208 minor accidents were reported.
Of the 86 fatal accidents, 22 were reported at Ponda, 10 in Maina Curtorim, 8 in Verna, 6 each in Colva, Cuncolim, Collem and Vasco, 4 in Margao, 3 in Quepem and remaining at Curchorem, Sanguem, Mormugao. Out of 208 minor accidents, the highest number-41 were reported in Margao, 3 in Ponda, 20 in Maina Curtorim, 12 at Curchorem, 19 at Verna, 7 each at Canacona and Collem, 8 at Quepem and remaining at Sanguem, Vasco, Mormugao.
It is pertinent to note that for first five months, in all, 62 fatal accidents and 146 minor accidents were reported. Of these 62, maximum number of 18 fatal accidents were reported in Ponda, followed by 8 each in Verna and Maina Curtorim and 6 each in Colva and Vasco. Besides these, 4 fatal accidents each were reported in Margao and Collem, 3 in Cuncolim and 2 each in Quepem and Canacona; however, at Sanguem only one was reported.
According to the figures available from South Goa police headquarters, of 146 minor accidents in which number of persons including pedestrians and scooter riders suffered serious injuries, 28 were reported in Ponda, 30 were reported in Margao, 17 in Maina Curtorim, 16 in Cuncolim. However, 12 each were reported in Curchorem and Verna, 7 in Canacona , 6 each in Colva and Quepem, 3 in Vasco, 2 each in Sanguem and Mormugao and 5 in Collem.
The main reasons being overspeeding, overtaking, rash and negligent driving, driving without wearing helmet and drunk driving. The victims of fatal accidents include pedestrians besides cyclists, scooterists and pillion riders.
Superintendent of Police, South Goa, Shekhar Prabhudessai said that “one has to have good driving habits; bad driving habits are a matter of concern.”
Most of the road accidents are caused by human errors and, therefore, the police are focusing on traffic safety programmes. Students and teachers are trained in traffic rules and regulations, he said.
SP Prabhudessai further said that “road accidents are related to habits like bad driving, reckless driving, overspeeding under the influence of alcohol, changing roads without signaling, driving on hard shoulders and jumping red lights.
DySP (Traffic) Prabodh Shirvoikar said that various steps have been taken to prevent accidents. He said that drivers who overspeed, drive in rash and negligent manner are being booked. Drivers, driving under the influence of alcohol are also booked.
An advocate, who is appearing in a case of rash and negligent driving, said that, “cases of accidents have to be investigated properly. If the investigating officer conducts investigation in a proper manner then the case becomes strong.”