Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a renewed push to improve road safety following a series of major accidents, the Goa government has decided to tighten enforcement against rent-a-car operators and vehicles using illegal tinted glass.
The measures were finalised at the State Road Safety Council meeting chaired by Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
The government will undertake inspections of self-drive rental vehicles to verify whether they are fitted with mandatory speed-limiting devices and whether operators are complying with all statutory requirements.
Officials have also been directed to examine the functioning of rental vehicle businesses and ensure that licences and permits are being used in accordance with prescribed norms.
The move comes amid concerns over the increasing involvement of rental vehicles in road accidents across the state. Authorities have warned that operators found violating regulations could face legal action.
Speaking after the meeting, Godinho said the government remains committed to strengthening road safety through stricter enforcement and improved infrastructure.
He noted that interventions carried out over the past two years at identified accident hotspots and hazardous stretches have contributed to a noticeable decline in road crashes.
However, the minister stressed that the reduction in accidents should not lead to complacency, describing road safety as an ongoing challenge requiring continuous monitoring and coordinated action.
The Council also decided to launch a dedicated enforcement drive against vehicles using illegal tinted windows, which officials said compromise visibility and hinder effective policing.
Another key issue discussed was compliance with Supreme Court directives on road safety. The meeting reviewed measures to remove encroachments and roadside obstacles that obstruct traffic movement and create risks for motorists and pedestrians.
To address these concerns, the government will strengthen coordination with municipal bodies and village panchayats while also increasing public awareness on road safety responsibilities.
The meeting further reviewed pedestrian protection measures, traffic management initiatives and enforcement strategies, with officials agreeing on the need for stronger inter-departmental coordination to further reduce road fatalities and enhance safety standards on Goa’s roads.
