Panaji, February 5, 2019 …. “If you do not believe in following the traffic rules, say so, but stop blaming the sentinels. The sentinel scheme has played a major role in curbing traffic rule violations. 2017 had recorded 333 road accidental deaths due to road accidents with an average of six deaths per week.
The number slightly decreased to 262 in 2018 with an average of 5 deaths per week. We can still reduce these figures by utilizing four principles: Education, Enforcement of rules, Emergency accidental care and Engineering of roads,” stated DGP Shri. Muktesh Chander IPS. He was speaking as a Chief Guest at the inauguration of 30th National Road Safety Week – 2019 at the Goa Engineering College Complex in Farmagudi today.
Director of Transport Shri. Nikhil Desai, Principal of Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi Dr. Krupashankar M.S, President of Goa Automobile Dealers Association Shri. Prashant Joshi and Shri. Derrick Pereira Netto, Managing Director, Kadamba Transport Corp Ltd. were present on the occasion.
Emphasizing the need of using a helmet by a rider and the pillion, Dr. Chander urged the gathering to be sincere and use an ISI marked helmet. “Wearing helmet is not enough; locking its strap is also mandatory. A pillion must also use a helmet for his/her safety. Do not wear it because you will receive a challan. Wear it to be safe and let others be safe too. Over speeding, drinking and driving is equally harmful,” he said.
“We are complying law as it is. I will never stop preaching about road safety and I believe that one day, we all will succeed,” Dr. Chander stated.
Earlier, the function began by lighting the lamp. Shri. Nikhil Desai welcomed the gathering and explained that road safety awareness among local is the sole purpose behind celebrating the ‘Road Safety Week’. He also informed that Goa is the first state to introduce ‘Road Safety’ in its curriculum.
On this occasion, the dignitaries released Posters based on Road Safety. Directorate of Education, Transport and Traffic were applauded for their remarkable contribution in popularising road safety. Shri. Vikramaditya Panashikar, Shri. Sanjay Dessai, Shri. Dilip Naik, Shri. Vasudev Pagi, Naval Driving School INS Mandovi, Maruti Driving School, Chowgule Industries Fatorda and Gurukul Driving School, Marcel were given a token of appreciation on this occasion. The staff of Traffic Cell Shri. Sayed Ashraf, Smt. Sharmila Shamba Tari and Shri. Inacio Dias from Home Guard, Motor Vehicle Inspector Shri. Minesh Tar and Asst. Motor Vehicle Inspectors Shri. Charles Ferria, Shri. Anand Dessai, Shri. Gandhesh Desai, Shri. Bhavesh, Shri. Kalpesh Faldessai and Shri. Shrinivas Mhmmai Kamat were felicitated for their remarkable service in road safety training.
The function was followed by a keynote address by Shri. Arun Desai IAS, former Director of Transport and a satire-comedy show by Shri. Paresh Parab. Shri. J.D. Souza compered the function while Dr. Krupashankara M.S. proposed the vote of thanks. The function was attended by students of colleges and higher secondaries in large number.
