Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: Reacting to the viral video of a recent accident on the Margao-Sirlim road, youth leader Prabhav Naik has demanded decisive action against what he described as the growing “Rent-a-Car menace” on Goa’s roads.
Addressing the media in Margao, Naik said the time had come to put an end to reckless driving involving rented vehicles, particularly after Tuesday’s accident in which a rented Thar allegedly rammed into a two-wheeler rider. He claimed the rider was reportedly not at fault and said the incident highlighted the dangers posed by irresponsible driving by some tourists using rented vehicles in the state.
Naik stated that while tourism remains vital to Goa’s economy and visitors are welcome, repeated road accidents involving rent-a-cars and rent-a-bikes have raised serious safety concerns for local residents and regular commuters.
He alleged that several fatal and serious accidents linked to rented vehicles over the years have exposed the failure of authorities to tackle the issue effectively. According to him, temporary measures and sporadic enforcement drives have not been sufficient to curb reckless driving on Goa’s roads.
Calling for stronger enforcement, Naik urged the Traffic Police and Transport Department to intensify checks at tourist hotspots and accident-prone areas across the state. He also demanded strict action against drunken driving, overspeeding, rash overtaking and dangerous driving practices, regardless of whether the offenders are tourists or locals.
“The safety of human life must come before commercial interests. Goa’s roads cannot become a playground for reckless drivers,” Naik said, while urging the government to take firm and immediate measures to prevent further loss of life.
