Accidents are on the rise due to the increasing number of vehicles as compared to the population in the state. Many people do not follow the rules and indulge in unsafe practices like drinking and driving, and overtaking recklessly.
“Government efforts are on to reduce accidents, but people need to cooperate as accidents have increased due to their indiscipline,” said Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant as he was talking to reporters in the Legislative Assembly.
CM Sawant informed the media that joint meetings are held from time to time by the public works, transport and home departments. “We have started implementing appropriate measures. But people are expected to follow the rules,” he said.
Emphasising that people should drive responsibly, CM Sawant said that the government cannot do everything. People need to act responsibly.
Today there is an increase in accidents, caused due to speeding, drinking and reckless driving. A bike rider died in an accident on the new Zuari Bridge. He had parked his bike on the bridge and was admiring nature when a four-wheeler driver come in from behind and struck him fatally.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho responded that people should follow traffic rules with discipline.
Black spots in the state are being identified, and many have been removed. There will be a meeting of the security committee soon and a discussion about how many black spots have been removed. Despite increasing the fine amount, people still do not follow the rules.
“Now the process of installing the cameras has reached the final stage. Tomorrow people will come and complain that we are being penalised from all sides. But the increasing number of accidents is a matter of concern for the government,” Godinho said.
Meanwhile, the Margao traffic cell has started a drive against modified bikes and reckless driving. Police Inspector Gautam Salunke of Margao traffic cell informed us that they have received complaints from citizens that the number of modified bikes with loud silencers have rapidly increased in the city.
Based on these complaints, the Margao police have booked around 45 cases and seized over 40 modified bikes in the last two days. The booked cases will be brought before the Margao court for prosecution.