Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
However, in Goa where of late we see a fatal accident almost everyday, mostly on highways – who do we blame? To some extent we agree that road works are underway at many places – NH66, Zuari bridge, internal roads etc, but not accidents are due to government’s error.
Hundreds of Goan youth, mostly in their early 20s with big brand bikes, are losing their lives due to rash and negligent driving. Not only are they losing their lives they are also putting lives of other commuters in danger.
Take for example the case of Siridao accident.
A 22-year old girl lost her life due to mistake of someone else.
Expressing concern over the number of accidents taking place in the State, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said that Goa has become the accident capital of the country.
SURAJ ANNDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
If an accident takes place on a potholed road or due to improper road engineering then it is the Government of the day and the Public Works Department (PWD) which must be held responsible for the fatal accident and should be penalised accordingly.
However, in Goa where of late we see a fatal accident almost everyday, mostly on highways – who do we blame? To some extent we agree that road works are underway at many places – NH66, Zuari bridge, internal roads etc, but not accidents are due to government’s error.
Hundreds of Goan youth, mostly in their early 20s with big brand bikes, are losing their lives due to rash and negligent driving. Not only are they losing their lives they are also putting lives of other commuters in danger.
Take for example the case of Siridao accident.
A 22-year old girl lost her life due to mistake of someone else.
Expressing concern over the number of accidents taking place in the State, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Monday said that Goa has become the accident capital of the country.
“Many youth get killed in the accidents and parents should advise their children to drive carefully. There has to be social awareness on this issue and parents also have to be responsible. There is pressure on the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bambolim due to the alarming rise in accident cases but we have to face it. Goa has become the accident capital of the country, if you see it ratio-wise. The rate has to come down and it is not only the duty of the government to create an awareness on road accidents but society too should participate in it,” he said.
Parents need to play a key role…
One has to agree that parents ahve to play a key role if the rash and negligent driving/ riding on roads has to reduce.
While parents are often excited to see their teens reach this noteworthy landmark, their enthusiasm is naturally mixed with a bit of apprehension.
If you’re the parent of a newly-licensed or student driver, it’s important to take steps that’ll help your teen understand which habits will work to keep him/her safe and which risky tendencies are best to avoid.
As teens prepare to start learning how to drive, they’ll be more interested in observing their parents’ habits in the car/ bike.
The most important thing a parent can do is lead by example. While most experienced drivers bend the rules from time to time, try your best to follow all the laws and guidelines you’d expect your teen to abide by.
Traffic police intersted only in challans…
The Goa Traffic police and the RTOs in Goa are only interested in challans and never interested in easing traffic even in case of an accidents.
Their motive from teh start of the day is to achieve the target that has been given by seniors. To achieve that they will do anything – from hiding behind bushes to running behind two-wheelers.
Steps govt needs to take….
• Most important method to bring down accidents is strict enforcement of speed limits. 90 % of accidents can be avoided by strict enforcement of speed limits.
• Heavy Penalty should be imposed on ALL those who cross speed limits. If this is strictly implemented, nobody will dare to go at high speed.
• Existing speed limits should be brought down further.
• Heavy penalty should be imposed for those who cause accidents.
• Tamper proof speed controllers should be made mandatory for all heavy vehicles. New heavy vehicles should have built in tamper proof speed controllers.
• Two wheeler manufacturers should be asked to design two wheelers with a designed maximum possible speed of (say) 50/60 kmph. This limit may be decided based on the conditions of each country.
• Driving tests for issue of Driving license is to be made more stringent and foolproof.
• Lower age limit for two wheeler and Heavy Vehicle license should be raised to 21.
• Helmet should be made compulsory for back seat riders also.
• Ensure that all Helmet users are fixing the Chinstrap of Helmet. Otherwise it will not help during an accident.
• Ensure that ONLY good quality Helmets that meet standard specifications are available in the market.
• Existing traffic rules should be strictly enforced.
• Law should be modified such that the person who makes the accident has to bear (say) 0 to 10 % of the insurance claims, depending on severity of negligence. Also the compensations should be made very huge, making accidents unaffordable so that everyone will be very vigilant.
• All those who do not maintain the safe distance for the speed should be
