“A motorist may wear a helmet, fasten a seat belt and obey every traffic rule, yet still meet with an accident because of a poorly maintained road. Potholes force drivers to brake suddenly, swerve into adjoining lanes and make split-second decisions that can result in collisions. During the monsoon, many potholes remain hidden beneath rainwater, making them even more hazardous.
It is therefore difficult to understand why authorities appear more focused on issuing challans than on ensuring roads are safe in the first place.
The irony is striking. The government is investing heavily in sophisticated technology capable of identifying a violation within seconds.”
The Goa government is preparing to roll out an artificial intelligence-based traffic management and enforcement system across North Goa. The initiative promises smarter surveillance, automatic detection of traffic violations and stricter enforcement of road safety rules. Authorities believe the technology will help reduce accidents and improve discipline on the roads.
There is no doubt that technology can play an important role in improving traffic management. Cameras that identify helmetless riders, detect seat belt violations and monitor dangerous driving can certainly encourage better compliance with the law. In a state where traffic violations are commonplace, stricter enforcement is welcome.
However, amidst the excitement over artificial intelligence, one fundamental question remains unanswered: What about Goa’s pothole-ridden roads?
Every monsoon, roads across Goa become a nightmare for motorists. Newly resurfaced stretches develop potholes within weeks. Roads dug up for infrastructure projects remain uneven for months. Waterlogged craters appear overnight, turning daily commutes into a dangerous exercise in survival. Two-wheeler riders, who form a significant portion of road users, are particularly vulnerable.
Road safety cannot be viewed only through the lens of enforcement. It begins with the quality of the roads themselves.
A motorist may wear a helmet, fasten a seat belt and obey every traffic rule, yet still meet with an accident because of a poorly maintained road. Potholes force drivers to brake suddenly, swerve into adjoining lanes and make split-second decisions that can result in collisions. During the monsoon, many potholes remain hidden beneath rainwater, making them even more hazardous.
It is therefore difficult to understand why authorities appear more focused on issuing challans than on ensuring roads are safe in the first place.
The irony is striking. The government is investing heavily in sophisticated technology capable of identifying a violation within seconds. Yet the same administration struggles year after year to provide roads that can withstand a single monsoon season. Citizens are entitled to ask whether priorities are misplaced.
Technology should supplement governance, not replace it.
The success of any road safety programme depends on a combination of factors. Enforcement is only one component. Good engineering, quality construction, regular maintenance, proper signage, street lighting and effective drainage are equally important. If any one of these elements is missing, the entire system becomes weaker.
Goa has witnessed numerous road accidents where poor road conditions have played a significant role. While official statistics often focus on driver error, inadequate infrastructure frequently contributes to these incidents. A pothole may not be recorded as the direct cause of an accident, but it often triggers the chain of events that leads to one.
The government deserves credit for embracing modern solutions. Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform traffic management and reduce violations. But citizens will judge the initiative not by the number of cameras installed or challans issued. They will judge it by whether roads become safer.
A driver travelling on a damaged road does not care whether a camera can recognise a registration number from hundreds of metres away. He wants a smooth road free from dangerous craters. A parent taking children to school wants assurance that a hidden pothole will not cause a fall. Tourists visiting Goa expect roads that reflect the state’s reputation rather than roads that damage vehicles and test patience.
The Road Safety Committee has reportedly decided to review pothole repairs on a monthly basis. That is a positive step. However, reviews and meetings alone are not enough. What is needed is accountability. Contractors responsible for poor quality work must be penalised. Departments must coordinate better. Repairs should be durable rather than temporary patches that disappear with the next spell of rain.
Perhaps the government should consider using technology for road maintenance as well. AI systems can identify damaged road surfaces, monitor deterioration and help authorities respond more quickly. Such innovation would directly address one of the biggest complaints of motorists.
The message is simple. Goa needs both smart enforcement and safe infrastructure. One cannot succeed without the other.
Artificial intelligence may catch traffic offenders. It may improve compliance and reduce reckless driving. But no camera, however advanced, can fill a pothole. Until Goa fixes its roads, claims of a comprehensive road safety strategy will remain incomplete.
