Road fatalities in Goa at 15-year low despite traffic growth

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Panaji: The number of accidental deaths on roads in Goa came down to a 15-year low in 2018 even as the vehicular traffic increased, the state government has said. According to a report released by the traffic police department on Tuesday, despite the year-on-year growth rate of 13.9 per cent in the number of vehicles on Goa's roads, there was 5.31 per cent decrease in accidents last year.

The government said there are around 14.10 lakh vehicles in Goa, where two-wheelers account for a major share of 68.95 per cent followed by cars around 20.76 per cent. "There is a significant reduction in accidental deaths. Around 21.32 per cent less number of people were killed in motor vehicle accidents last year as compared to 2017, and this figure is the lowest in last 15 years," the report said.

An analysis of fatal accidents revealed that 55.64 per cent vehicles involved in such incidents were two-wheelers. Likewise, 69.46 per cent victims of the fatal accidents were two-wheeler and pillion riders. The data also revealed that self-driving accidents topped the chart with almost 82.92 per cent such cases. In order to discourage people from driving under the influence of alcohol, the traffic police last year referred all such cases to a court, requesting stringent punishment, according to the report.

As a result, 34 violators were convicted with jail sentences from one day to 10 days while 469 people were sentenced till the rising of the court, besides fine, it said. 'Rising of the court' refers to a sentence in which the guilty is detained in a courtroom and made to sit till the proceeding concludes. As per directions of the Supreme Court's committee on road safety, total 24,195 cases were sent to Goa transport department, recommending suspension of driving licenses of those who violated traffic rules. The report further said that last year, 4,227 driving licenses were suspended by the transport department.

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