Do you feel confident and safe enough to drive a car or bike on Goan roads? The majority will reply negatively to this question. Looking at accidents happening almost daily and the traffic cell statistics paint a grim picture and do not inspire confidence to drive on Goan roads.
A case, in particular, is Mormugao. Being a port town and strategically important taluka of the state, road accidents and traffic violations are quite high. Lately, there have been several road accidents that grabbed the attention of the people who follow traffic safety rules and drive responsibly.
In a recent fatal accident in the port town, CCTV footage clearly showed how a middle-aged woman at New Vaddem was knocked down by a fast-moving bike which was ridden by a minor. The woman died instantly after falling down. Vasco police have registered a case of culpable homicide, not amounting to murder, in the matter.
In yet another incident, two bike riders who were not wearing helmets fell near IOC junction in Vasco. Fortunately, they sustained minor bruises.
In a recent incident, a minor boy who was driving an SUV car went on the wrong side and dashed a scooter coming from Cortalim side at St Jacinto island, killing the scooterist, a female, on the spot.
On Thursday, morning, the Vasco police undertook a drive to nab those who violate traffic safety rules. Till 11 am, they booked 8 cases under the Motors Vehicles Act and seized two bikes.
Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, a bike rider, who was on his way to office, had a lucky escape after a jungle tree uprooted and fell on his bike at Chicalim slope. The rider, who sustained injuries to his forehead, was immediately rushed to the Sub-District Hospital, Chicalim.
The team of Vasco police, who were at the spot, informed the media that they will write a letter to the PWD to identify dangerous trees and clear them.
The incident could have been avoided if the Electricity Department, PWD and local governing bodies had worked in tandem to bring down trees dangerous to pedestrians and motorists.
Also, looking at the fatal accidents involving minors, clearly shows how parents have abdicated their responsibility in seeing that their unlicensed children do not end up behind the steering wheel and become killers.