Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
Another fact is that I read many posts on social media blaming the police and the State Government or the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant. How the hell is government or police responsible? Agreed, if the accident is due to a bad road, we can blame the government, but if the accident was due to high speed and negligence, how can Dr Pramod Sawant or the BJP, for that matter, be responsible?
We asked for better roads we got them. Now it is up to us to drive on them and maintain discipline. The Chief Minister blamed the rash and negligent drivers for the accident, and he was absolutely right, as we see no discipline on Goan roads.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
It is a matter of great concern that, on average, there is one fatal accident almost every day in Goa.
We blamed the bad roads for about two years now, but today the road infrastructure seems to be improving. The expanded National highway stretches are opening up, and the new Zuari bridge, one phase has been opened, which has made driving or riding easier or more comfortable. The hours of waiting at the Cortalim junction have become a story of the past.
But when we look back today, we find that the wait was better than what we hear today.
With the improvement of roads, we hear about fatal accidents, mainly due to rash and negligent driving. At least 90 per cent of the time, the motorists themselves are to be blamed.
We asked for good roads and got them from the government, but we have to have some self-discipline now. The good roads are meant for overspeeding and overtaking rashly and negligently.
We all need to follow the rules, follow the speed limit, and wear helmets.
Most fatal accidents are by two-wheeler riders, and most of the time, they are not wearing helmets. Needless to say, the helmets are not just to show the police; they are meant for every rider’s protection. When will we understand this? When will we inculcate this among our children?
The simple reason for many youths (both male and female) not wearing them is that it spoils their hairstyle. Is hairstyle more important than life? Simple logic.
Another fact is that I read many posts on social media blaming the police and the State Government or the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant. How is government or police responsible? Agreed, if the accident is due to a bad road, we can blame the government, but if the accident was due to high speed and negligence, how can Dr Pramod Sawant or the BJP, for that matter, be responsible?
We asked for better roads we got them. Now it is up to us to drive on them and maintain discipline. The Chief Minister blamed the rash and negligent drivers for the accident, and he was absolutely right, as we see no discipline on Goan roads.
Every Sunday, visit the Miramar bypass, Parra bypass or Guirim bypass and see the racing of Superbike riders. Here we can blame the police as they do not do enough to stop this, as these kids are sons and daughters of the high and mighty in society.
Otherwise, the chief minister cannot be blamed as no government can have policemen to control the riders or motorists on every road.
At important junctions yes, but today we have signals at most junctions, and the impatient riders are seen breaking the rules there too. So who is to be blamed for this, Dr Pramod Sawant or Narendra Modi?
We ourselves need to introspect and tell our children and the onus is also on the college teachers to inculcate this amongst their students and only then will we able to curb the fatal accidents.
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