The state government needs a clear strategy with concrete steps to reduce road accidents and fatalities, said the Goa road safety forum in a list of recommendations submitted to authorities. Aside from encouraging the use of public transport, the government also needs to scientifically design roads and roadside infrastructure, said Dilip Naik, convenor of the forum.
Naik has also called for stricter enforcement of traffic rules and has suggested that along with fines, habitual violators must have their vehicles impounded and the drivers must be asked to sign up for road safety training. He has written to the ministers for transport and PWD, and also to the transport director and Goa police.
“We hope to see a clear action plan and more importantly concrete action towards these suggestions,” said Naik. “The first step to solving the problem of fatalities is to reduce the number of vehicles running on Goa’s roads. Being a tourist state, Goa should make every effort to make it possible for tourists to visit places without bringing their own vehicles.”
He said that public transport has become the last choice for tourists as well as residents which results in the entire state getting congested with personal vehicles.
“No amount of road widening is sufficient to handle the growing number of vehicles,” said Naik. He said the government must “take practical steps” towards public transport. He said that well-meaning citizens are willing to assist the state.
Naik said that tourists and locals feel that rules do not apply in Goa, a narrative that can be changed by stringent law enforcement. He has called on the government to reintroduce the mechanism for citizens to report traffic violations.
“Habitual violators should be disciplined not by mere fines but with additional measures such as they should be made to watch road safety videos for two hours, their vehicle should be confiscated and the driving licences should be suspended for six months,” said Naik.
He said that parallel parking will free up space along the road while also deterring citizens from using cars.
“The market for rented vehicles is already saturated. Existing permits should be allowed to be renewed, provided the vehicle meets safety criteria but no new permits should be issued,” said Naik.
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