Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa has recorded 76 road crashes involving rental cars and two-wheelers over the past five years, with the accidents resulting in 38 fatalities and 65 injuries, figures presented in the Legislative Assembly have revealed.
The data, covering the period from January 2021 to July 31, 2026, indicates that the number of accidents involving rented vehicles has generally increased despite fluctuations from year to year.
There were nine such crashes in 2021, followed by just two in 2022. The number climbed to 14 in 2023 and further increased to 18 in 2024. Goa registered 20 cases in 2025, the highest annual figure during the period. Another 13 accidents were reported in the first seven months of 2026.
The fatalities have remained a concern. Three people died in rental-vehicle crashes in 2021, while 2022 recorded one death. The toll jumped to 10 in 2023 and stood at nine in 2024. Seven deaths were reported in 2025, followed by eight fatalities up to July 31 this year.
In terms of injuries, nine people were hurt in 2021, one in 2022, six in 2023, 17 in 2024 and 22 in 2025. The 2026 cases had resulted in 10 injuries by the end of July.
Police investigations also established alcohol consumption by the driver or rider in four cases, with such instances recorded during investigations in 2023 and 2026.
The geographical distribution shows a pronounced concentration of cases in north Goa. Bardez alone accounted for 37 accidents, substantially higher than Tiswadi, which recorded 13. Mormugao followed with 11 cases and Salcete with six.
Pernem recorded three accidents, while Canacona and Dharbandora reported two each. Ponda and Quepem registered one case apiece.
Among individual police station jurisdictions, Anjuna topped the list with 15 accidents. Calangute followed with 12, while Verna recorded eight.
The figures assume significance following the State Transport Authority’s July 22 decision to stop granting fresh rent-a-cab permits. The restriction covers all vehicles seeking such permits, including Thar vehicles.
With 13 rental-vehicle crashes and eight deaths already recorded in just seven months of 2026, the latest figures add fresh weight to concerns surrounding road safety and the use of rental vehicles on Goa’s roads.
