Can we be more sensible and less irresponsible on our roads? -- By Jose Maria Miranda

Years ago, I had written an article on this subject, titled “Goans most uncultured on roads”. My only purpose in choosing a harsh title was not as much to hurt my fellow Goans as it was to drive home and open our eyes to the hard and sad reality on Goa’s roads, which have turned into virtual grave yards for our young and not so young brothers and sisters. Years after my write up, change has only been for the worse.

A death a day in a State as small as ours, sometimes with more than one in a single day, is too much for us to take and cannot be acceptable in a civilized society, where utmost respect for human life is essential. It is extremely disturbing that a substantial number of people in Goa no longer die of old age or due to health ailments but in avoidable accidents and hundreds, if not thousands, languish in their homes and hospitals, often for no fault of theirs. We are heartlessly and mercilessly cutting short, apparently without any remorse, many precious and beautiful lives, some blooming buds, which might have been great assets to our society and particularly to their families.

The traffic scenario in Goa is chaotic.  Vehicle explosion is perhaps one the main reasons for accidents, but rash and reckless driving is surely the single principal cause of road mishaps. Restrictions on ownership of vehicles could have been a solution, but it will never happen being a good source of revenue. Cabinet meeting called to remedy a situation which has been prevailing for years and is only worsening by the day cannot produce any results unless there is sincerity of purpose. Putting the inefficient and incompetent Traffic Police and Transport personnel on the roads, to tame traffic violators,  is aimed only at collecting additional revenue – not a genuine attempt at curbing speed and recklessness, which are main causes of accidents but which merit the least attention from these authorities. Their regular presence on the roads may have some deterrent effect, but it will be for a short while and be restricted to certain areas only.

If there is seriousness in curbing accidents, the first priority must be immediate introduction of city buses, with reasonably priced tickets, to reduce the circulation of private vehicles in the city. Water transport - about which we hear in occasional and ever unfulfilled promises – and a rail link to Panjim will considerably reduce the pressure on our roads. But such steps may not even be considered due to pressures from the bus lobby and the losses that KTCL will incur.  

Immediate imposition and strict enforcement of speed limits on our roads, even in absence of gadgets to check them, would surely reduce major accidents. Stiff and merciless action against reckless driving/riding is needed so that motorists are aware that excessive speed will not be tolerated. The Police, which is always reluctant to tackle this problem, is already finding excuses of absence of gadgets to avoid dealing with such violators. Even noting down the vehicle No. and summoning the owner would prove a deterrent. Fixing speed governors to high powered cabs could also be given a thought. The Director General of Police, whose transfer to Goa was welcomed because of the efficiency with which he handled the traffic in Delhi, surely knows that crash helmets and seat belts, though essential, do not reduce accidents but only fatalities and that indiscipline and rashness are the main causes of accidents. This is unfortunately rarely curbed by his subordinates.

Much was expected from the DGP but little has been achieved.

Absence of traffic lights is another serious cause of accidents and pedestrian deaths. It obstructs safe pedestrian crossing due to continuous flow of traffic. Strange that even the capital city hardly has any and Margao has none. Doesn’t it speak enough of Government efficiency and sincerity, which would have spared many traffic personnel for patrolling and ensuring traffic discipline? Let us hope speed radars will soon make their appearance, as suggested by the Police, and this will hopefully put an end to the rule of criminal motorists.

Jose Maria Miranda

Castigating or blaming the Government and the Police will not help us reduce the pain and agony of our families, unless we ourselves behave responsibly on the roads and are sensitive enough to realize what it is to lose a loved one in an accident or to be deprived, permanently or temporarily, of the family’s only source of income. Have we ever spared a thought for such families we destroy by our negligence, road rage or arrogance in trying to display our affluence, power or position? With so many people dying in accidents does it behoove of us to continue driving or riding the way we do? Does the fact that the Police does not strictly enforce the law, entitle us to ignore or violate it and put at risk our own or other people’s lives? Has it ever struck us that the life of our victim could, at times, be more precious than our own, being the sole breadwinner of the family?

More than being critical of the enforcing authorities or my fellow riders and drivers, I wish to use these lines as an emotional appeal to them to just think of others, of the possible consequences of our thoughtless actions that can destroy one or more families or leave them in total penury. To the Traffic Police, my humble appeal is to be educators rather than prosecutors and ensure that the motorists fear the law, which is meant to protect their own and other people’s lives. This has gone for too long. It is time we join hands to reduce the pain and suffering of our fellow brethren.