Times of India | 8 hours ago | 03-02-2023 | 06:00 pm
PANAJI: In a shocking revelation, it has been found that two-third of the people who died in road accidents in 2022 were on two-wheelers. The state also witnessed a rise of almost 9% in road accidents during the year. As per the Goa police traffic cell data, 3,011 road accidents were reported in 2022, out of which 253 were fatal wherein 271 succumbed to injuries. A total number of 181 persons on two-wheelers died in the accidents while 51 pedestrians lost their lives.In 2021, 2,849 accidents were reported, out of which 218 were fatal. Almost 226 persons lost their lives. A total number of 152 persons on two-wheelers died while 36 pedestrians lost their lives. The highest number of accidents in North Goa were reported in the jurisdiction of Panaji police (211) followed by Mapusa (182) and Porvorim (157). Though Panaji to Mapusa via Porvorim route is the busiest for traffic movement, it has been revealed that maximum number of people lost their lives in the police jurisdiction of Pernem (16), Bicholim (15) and Agasaim (14). In South Goa, the highest number of accidents were reported in the Ponda police station jurisdiction (24), followed by Verna (16) and Vasco (12). The maximum number of people who lost their lives in the same police jurisdiction were: Ponda (25), Verna (17) and Vasco (13).In October 2022, Goa police constituted a 3-member committee under the chairmanship of IGP Omvir Singh and other members, including DIGP Aslam Khan and SP Shekhar Prabhudessai to suggest measures to be undertaken by various stakeholders and road owning agencies to prevent and reduce accidents. Chief minister Pramod Sawant attributed nearly 95% of the road accidents that happen at night to drunken driving. “There has been a rise in accidents at night and this may be because of driving under the influence of alcohol. There is a need to stop 100% of the accidents happening due to this, we need to take steps,” Sawant had said.In a major accident in July 2022, four people died in the early hours after the car they were travelling in crashed into the railings of Zuari bridge and plunged into the river. A joint operation conducted by state agencies and the Indian Navy lasted for almost 12 hours, and culminated in the vehicle being retrieved with all four bodies still inside.The four were on their way from Loutolim to Panaji to celebrate the birthday of one of the occupants. Police said that they had cut a cake before leaving for Panaji for dinner, since restaurants in the village were closed due to the ensuing panchayat elections. Police said that the driver of the vehicle lost control and it rammed into the bridge’s railings.
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