Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Even as the total number of road accidents in Goa has seen a slight decline this year, the State’s roads remain perilous, with nearly 1,942 crashes reported between January and November 3. Overspeeding, drunken driving, and reckless behaviour behind the wheel continue to be the leading causes, according to the Goa Traffic Police.
Data shows that between January and October 2025, Goa registered 205 fatal accidents that claimed 212 lives — a marginal improvement over the 229 fatal crashes and 241 deaths recorded during the same period in 2024. However, serious crashes have gone up from 151 last year to 189 this year, suggesting that while the number of incidents has fallen, the intensity and impact of collisions have worsened.
In just the first three days of November, there were around 17 road accidents and two fatalities. Traffic officials said the recurring culprits remain the same — speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and negligent or aggressive driving.
“Drunken driving cases are mostly concentrated along coastal areas and highways during nighttime hours. Driver fatigue among late-night commuters is also becoming a notable risk factor,” an official explained.
The recent fatal crash at Bambolim highlighted the dangers once again. Two national Sepak Takraw players, Yogender Singh and Ankit Kumar Baliyan, lost their lives when a speeding tanker jumped the median on NH66, crossed into the opposite lane, and collided head-on with their rental car. Police have charged the tanker driver, Rahul Sarwade (37) of Maharashtra, with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, attributing the tragedy to rash and negligent driving.
To deter repeat offenders, traffic authorities have stepped up enforcement, particularly on weekends. Between January and October 2025, police issued 14,506 challans for overspeeding, 3,361 for drunken driving, and 83 for rash and negligent driving.
“The enforcement drives are being conducted in phases, but maintaining consistent compliance on high-speed corridors, especially at night, remains a challenge,” the official noted.
While total accidents dropped from 2,196 in 2024 to 1,925 this year during the same period, authorities admit that the focus now must shift toward ensuring safer driving habits and stricter monitoring of high-risk routes to prevent the continuing loss of lives on Goa’s roads.
