Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Due to rampant violations of traffic safety regulations, reckless driving, and tourists operating vehicles while intoxicated, the State Transport Authority has suspended the issuance of any further rental car licenses.
According to a public notification released by P Pravimal Abhishek, IAS, Director of Transport, the decision was made during the last meeting.
“The State Transport Authority, Goa, has decided not to issue any fresh Rent-a-Cab licences/permits under the Rent-a-Cab scheme, 1989, until further notice,” Abhishek said in the notice.
According to him, the decision was made in the public interest, taking into account issues with traffic congestion, road safety, and regulatory compliance.
Additionally, Abhishek stated that a growing percentage of traffic accidents involving self-driven rental cars involve tourists driving carelessly and rashly, even when intoxicated.
The public is warned not to submit any new applications for Rent-a-Cab licenses or permits as they will not be approved, Abhishek stated in the warning, adding, “This is leading to grievous injuries and fatalities.”
Renting a car gave visitors the freedom to go throughout the state whenever it was convenient for them, but incidents of mistreatment and careless driving have also made the public hostile to the industry.
The second significant step the administration has taken to combat visitors’ careless car rentals in the state is to prohibit the issuance of new licenses.
The transport authority started cracking down on the illegal business of renting out private cars to visitors earlier last week, and the first offense carries a hefty Rs 10,000 fine.
According to Abhishek, RTO inspectors have been directed to perform routine inspections, and repeat infractions would result in harsher penalties, such as the suspension or termination of the vehicle’s registration.
