Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Stating that there have been several fatal accidents in the recent times involving rent-a-car vehicles in the state, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho hinted at imposing curbs on the rent-a-car operators.
Referring to yesterday’s accident on Mandovi bridge, Godinho squarely blamed the rent-a-car driver for the accident.
“We will ensure that his driving licence is cancelled in his home state and the concerned rent-a-car operator will be issued a show cause notice for cancellation of his licence”, he said. All rent-a-car operators should exercise caution while given their vehicles to tourist, he added
In addition, Godinho stated that the state would shortly receive Rs 150 crore—of the Rs 300 crore the Center has approved—to address black spots on Goans’ roads.
He declared, “Work on 12 black spots will begin soon.”
Godinho, expressing his ire at the rent-a-cab drivers who disobey the license requirements, claimed that the proprietors of tourist cars fail to inform their patrons about traffic laws and road conditions.
The minister claimed that the car owners permit visitors to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
According to Godinho, companies that provide car rentals to travelers must adhere to standard operating procedures.
Additionally, he said that because the operators of the rental cars have been breaking the rules, the government has not issued permits for new cars for the past three years.
He recommended that “the owners of tourist cars should teach their patrons about traffic laws, particularly those pertaining to driving while intoxicated and safe driving on village roads.”
Because of the tourists’ careless driving, Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira insisted that speed governors be installed in rental cars.
“Some of the visitors are driving terribly; there is no discipline. They endanger the lives of other people by driving on fields, beaches, and other places, he claimed.
