Goa Police: 90% of Accidents on Straight Roads

04 Apr 2024 CW Team

According to police records, out of the 290 individuals who tragically lost their lives on Goa's roads last year, a staggering 257 fatalities transpired on straight roads. This counterintuitive statistic underscores the need for a reevaluation of road safety strategies, focusing not only on anticipated hazards but also on overlooked risk factors.

The breakdown of fatalities reveals a sobering reality: among the deceased, 44 were pedestrians, four were on bicycles, 171 were riding two-wheelers, and 21 were occupants of four-wheelers. Additionally, two fatalities occurred in a truck, while one was in a bus.

Analyzing the broader spectrum of road incidents, the data illustrates a predominant pattern of vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, accounting for 2,625 out of 2,846 reported accidents. Moreover, rural areas witnessed a significantly higher incidence of accidents and fatalities compared to urban regions, with 2072 accidents and 214 fatalities occurring in rural settings, contrasting with 774 accidents and 76 fatalities in urban areas.

Further scrutiny of the data reveals that peak traffic hours from 6 pm to 9 pm pose heightened risks, with over 500 accidents occurring during this time frame in 2023. Surprisingly, over 95% of accidents transpired on clear, sunny days, with residential areas emerging as unexpected hotspots, contributing to over 40% of reported accidents.

Road classification plays a pivotal role in accident distribution, with 'other roads' ranking highest in accident frequency, followed by national highways and state highways. Residential areas, open spaces, markets, and institutional areas also featured prominently in accident reports.

Despite a marginal decrease in the overall number of road accidents in 2023 compared to the preceding year, fatal accidents saw a slight uptick. Shockingly, five individuals lost their lives every week due to road accidents, with two-wheelers bearing the brunt of fatalities, comprising 70% of the total.

Among the notable incidents of 2023 was a fatal accident in Banastarim, where builder Paresh Sinai Sawardekar, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, caused a collision resulting in three fatalities. Mardol police emphasized the egregious negligence exhibited by the accused, underscoring the devastating consequences of reckless driving.

As Goa grapples with these alarming statistics, there arises a pressing need for comprehensive road safety measures, addressing not only anticipated risks but also the lesser-known perils lurking on seemingly straight stretches of road.

In a surprising revelation, data released by the Goa police has shed light on a concerning trend in road safety: over 90% of road accidents in the year 2023 occurred on straight roads. Contrary to common assumptions that curved roads or turns pose higher risks, the majority of accidents, including fatalities, unfolded on seemingly unassuming stretches of road. According to police records, out of the 290 individuals who tragically lost their lives on Goa's roads last year, a staggering 257 fatalities transpired on straight roads. This counterintuitive statistic underscores the need for a reevaluation of road safety strategies, focusing not only on anticipated hazards but also on overlooked risk factors. The breakdown of fatalities reveals a sobering reality: among the deceased, 44 were pedestrians, four were on bicycles, 171 were riding two-wheelers, and 21 were occupants of four-wheelers. Additionally, two fatalities occurred in a truck, while one was in a bus. Analyzing the broader spectrum of road incidents, the data illustrates a predominant pattern of vehicle-to-vehicle collisions, accounting for 2,625 out of 2,846 reported accidents. Moreover, rural areas witnessed a significantly higher incidence of accidents and fatalities compared to urban regions, with 2072 accidents and 214 fatalities occurring in rural settings, contrasting with 774 accidents and 76 fatalities in urban areas. Further scrutiny of the data reveals that peak traffic hours from 6 pm to 9 pm pose heightened risks, with over 500 accidents occurring during this time frame in 2023. Surprisingly, over 95% of accidents transpired on clear, sunny days, with residential areas emerging as unexpected hotspots, contributing to over 40% of reported accidents. Road classification plays a pivotal role in accident distribution, with 'other roads' ranking highest in accident frequency, followed by national highways and state highways. Residential areas, open spaces, markets, and institutional areas also featured prominently in accident reports. Despite a marginal decrease in the overall number of road accidents in 2023 compared to the preceding year, fatal accidents saw a slight uptick. Shockingly, five individuals lost their lives every week due to road accidents, with two-wheelers bearing the brunt of fatalities, comprising 70% of the total. Among the notable incidents of 2023 was a fatal accident in Banastarim, where builder Paresh Sinai Sawardekar, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, caused a collision resulting in three fatalities. Mardol police emphasized the egregious negligence exhibited by the accused, underscoring the devastating consequences of reckless driving. As Goa grapples with these alarming statistics, there arises a pressing need for comprehensive road safety measures, addressing not only anticipated risks but also the lesser-known perils lurking on seemingly straight stretches of road.