MARGAO: Some roads in Salcete taluka have become virtual death traps as more and more accidents are taking place than ever before particularly on highways inspite of sustained campaigns for road safety.

A fatal accident reported just three days back at Dharmapur resulted in the death of three youth between the age group of 25 to 30. According to the information available from the traffic police, from January till March 14 in all 1,058 accidents were reported in the state, of which 74 were fatal, while 60 resulted in grievous injuries and rest were minor accidents. During these last two and half months, in all, 74 persons died in various accidents reported across the state.

During the last year, during the same period 915 accidents were reported of which 80 were fatal.

Information available from police, indicates that almost everyday, on an average, two to three minor accidents are reported in Salcete and rising accident rate is mostly attributed to over speeding, drunken or rash driving and lack of staff to enforce safety measures and the total absence of coordination among the connected departments, panchayats and municipalities.

In Salcete, vehicle population has gone up and accident rate is also going up, said Mr Gurudas Torasker, a trader, who suggested a strict observance of speed limit in rural and residential areas and stringent punishment for drunken/rash driving but regretted that the implementation is lacking.

"Traffic police have to analyse the reasons for accidents," he said stressing that they should be assigned the responsibility to investigate a road accident thoroughly and submit a report since they are always ‘on the field’ and get a ‘first hand information’."

He said that as per the existing practice police officer of police station books cases of rash and negligent driving and carry out investigations. After completing the investigations, he would file a charge-sheet in the court and the matter ends there.

All that the traffic police would know about a fatal accident is only basic data and may not know with what speed the vehicle hit a person, whether there was any flaw in the design of the road at the accident spot, or whether the brakes of vehicle failed etc. These minutest details have to be studied so that foolproof remedial measures can be suggested.

It appears that investigation into road accidents is last on the priority of many police stations that witness a large number of other cases pertaining to law and order. As a result, the quality of investigation is suffering, concealing the ‘exact’ reasons for accidents, said one city advocate on a condition of anonymity. In addition to this, he said South Goa traffic cells are already bogged down by the problem of inadequate staff.

One retired traffic cell officer pointed out that students try to perform stunts on the roads which may be cause for road accidents.

He suggested that traffic police should keep a vigil on teenagers driving without a licence and above all parents should also not allow their children to ride a bike unless they have attained the stipulated age and are satisfied with their driving skills.

Mr Sandeep R Pedneker, a businessman from Margao said that fatal and minor accidents are increasing primarily because of poor maintenance of roads and negligence on the part of riders in following traffic rules including non-use of helmet.

Mr Pednekar pointed out that students who are driving without helmets and concern for other road users should be trained in this regard.

He alleged that parents are also to be partly blamed for the rise in accidents involving students since they drive in a rash and negligent manner. He also said that government should initiate necessary measures to prevent minors and students from driving without licences.

Suggesting a dedicated lane for motorcyclists so that they could avoid collisions with heavy vehicles, he felt that helmets should be made mandatory for owners of two-wheelers.

While a city bus owner said that they have instructed drivers to follow traffic rules and observed that in most accident cases involving buses, the lapse is on the part of passengers.

He said sometime passengers get down even before the bus could come to a halt and they do not listen to the instructions of the conductors.

Despite strict guidelines issued to students, they overcrowd the buses even when the conductor refuses to accommodate students in excess of the specified number of passengers.