Decision aimed at reducing road accidents
Panaji: In a bid to curb speeding and reduce the rising number of road accidents on Goan roads, the state government has made installation of speed governors mandatory for all transport vehicles including rent-a-cab service cars.
Speaking to The Navhind Times, director of Transport P Pravimal Abhishek said speed governors are already mandated for all transport vehicles under the central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1988 (rule 118), and the order has been issued only towards enforcement of the rule.
“We have noticed that some of the transport vehicles are found to be overspeeding the prescribed limits. Therefore, the department has decided to enforce the rule of speed governors. Assistant directors of transport have been asked to ensure thorough inspections,” said Abhishek.
He pointed out that under the central rules, speed governors must be either provided by the original manufacturer of the vehicle or the transport operator has to arrange for its fitment.
“The matter of speed governors will be periodically reviewed by the department. It is a rule, which we plan to enforce through regular inspections,” said the director of Transport.
“All assistant directors of transport (ADTs) are instructed to carry out comprehensive inspection of transport vehicles, with particular attention to ‘rent-a-cab’ transport vehicles, to ensure that the installation and functionality of speed governors is in compliance with the rule,” states the order.
The department has instructed the assistant directors of transport to also verify the presence and operation of speed governors during renewal of the transport vehicles or while issuing fitness certificate.
“ADTs are required to submit an action taken report on or before March 11, 2024, which will be reviewed on 12th March 2024. Time and venue of the review meeting will be communicated subsequently,” states the order.
The director of Transport has warned that non-compliance and shortfall in inspection will be viewed seriously.
It may be noted that a number of rent-a-cabs have been involved in road accidents in the state. Recently, a youth from Nachinola in Bardez taluka lost his life after he was flung into the Mandovi river from the old bridge following collision of his bike with a rent-a-cab.
Police have arrested the car driver, a native of Odisha, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304).
The accused was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, the police have said. The permissible alcohol limit is 30 mg per 100 ml of blood.
In another tragic accident that occurred earlier this month, two cousins died in a road accident at Arambol in Pernem taluka.
The cousins, both residents of Varchawada, Arambol, were returning home on a two-wheeler when suddenly door of a parked rent-a-car opened and hit the two-wheeler. Due to the collision, both the cousins fell off the two-wheeler and came under the wheels of a truck approaching from the opposite direction.
Police arrested two tourists of which one was driving the rented vehicle.
Tourist from Rajasthan arrested for throwing bottles from moving car
Panaji: In a case of causing nuisance in public place, Porvorim police on Tuesday arrested Shankar Lal Khatik (32), a tourist from Rajasthan, for throwing beer bottles on a public road from a moving rental car. The bottles were thrown on the road near Tisk junction at Socorro in Bardez taluka. Khatik was produced before a court and subsequently released. Police said the rent-a-car involved in the incident has been attached. They said they will continue to take action against such unruly behaviour in public places.