Speeding fastest way to licence suspension

PANAJI: Overspeeding continues to be one of the highest reported traffic violations in 2018, with over 16,000 violations recorded last year. More than 1,500 people have had their drivers’ license suspended for a period of three months for committing speeding offences, according to the action report shared by the state directorate of transport.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs – another traffic violation – accounted for far lesser number of offences at 7,355 violations through the whole of 2018. Which is less than 50% of the speeding violations.


“There has never been a culture for speed limits in Goa. The idea of safe speed limit must be instilled among drivers. There is also a need for automated speed radars equipped with CCTV cameras in the state in keeping with technology. This is mainly because one of the common causes of accidents in Goa is overspeeding,” road safety activist, Roland Martins said.

The report, ‘Road Accidents in India’ shared by the ministry of road transport and highways , puts speeding violations as the reason behind the highest number of accidents in the year 2017, accounting for 3,536 accidents, causing 316 deaths.

TOI had earlier reported that Goa police conducted a detailed study which revealed that speeding and drunk driving were the main causes of accidents and fatalities on Goan roads. In March 2018, Goa police had procured 100 alcometers besides deploying laser speed radar guns (LSRG) to crack down on speeding motorists.

Martins further added that there is a desperate need for signage in coastal belts indicating where the limit starts and ends. “We have already sent proposals to the South Goa traffic cell to install the signages at Majorda and Betalbatim,” he said.

DySP traffic, South Goa, P Shirvoikar said, “At certain spots in Navelim, Chinchinim and the airport road, where there are signages, we are able to book cases. As of now, we’re not booking cases where there are no signages. We have written to the PWD to erect signage indicating speed limits at such places.”