January-March saw nearly one road death a day in Goa, 58% rise over last year

PANAJI: Goa has witnessed 91 deaths in 86 fatal accidents in the first quarter of the year, a 58% increase in fatalities compared to the corresponding period the previous year, which witnessed 53 deaths in 49 fatal accidents.
However, the total number of accidents (751) was less from January to March this year than the first three months of 2022 (781).
A senior police officer attached to the traffic cell said that rash and negligent driving are the main cause of fatal accidents. "There are usually no fatal accidents reported in places where traffic police are deployed, but when motorists see no cops around, they drive in a rash and negligent manner and cause accidents," the officer said.
A senior police officer said that various proposals have been sent to departments, including PWD, to execute certain road modifications to avoid accidents. He added that fines have risen over the past two years, and while traffic rules are being enforced, people still drive in a rash and negligent manner. Chief minister Pramod Sawant recently appealed to the people to ride and drive carefully. “Goa records five to six accidents daily, with at least one casualty,” he told the House. “A majority of accidents are caused by people who do not follow traffic rules. Some use phones while driving,” Sawant said. The CM said the government will do whatever is required to discipline traffic and control accidents, but that “people should also understand”.