The Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant at the inaugural of the 13th State Road Safety Week-2024, organized by Directorate of Transport at Don Bosco High School, Panaji, said that it’s not just the Government, but all road users who have a responsibility to ensuring there are no accidents on Goa’s roads. Ruing the fact that on an average there is an accident death daily in Goa, the Chief Minister in his imitable style said that ‘Bhivpachi garaz asa.’ He pointed out the major reasons for road accidents as drunk driving; using phones while driving, performing stunts, over speeding etc. In order to enhance safety into public transport system, he said that the Transport authorities should check drivers of interstate public vehicles entering Goa to ensure that they are not driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Chief Minister added that the Government has always responded promptly when giving compensation to families of road accident victims but he said that the endeavour should be to save lives as lives are precious. Dr. Sawant lauded the creativity of the exhibition on road safety rules put up by students of various schools on the occasion.
The Minister for Transport, Shri. Mauvin Godinho said that there is a need to ponder as to why so many accidents are taking place on Goa’s roads. He said that youngsters can bring about a huge change by being responsible while on the roads and also by encouraging their parents and others, to be responsible on the roads. He said that the Government will soon install cameras, including night vision cameras, which will help reduce accidents, and also bring about greater accountability.
Director of Department of Transport, Shri. P. Pravimal Abhishek, IAS, said that the State Road Safety Week-comprising of campaigns and educational programs-was a clarion call to action, reflect on our responsibility and an opportunity to engage with citizens to ensure Goa’s roads are safe. He said that we have a fundamental duty to ensure road safety and be responsible. Elaborating on the theme of this year’s road safety week, ‘Be a Road Safety Hero’, he said that a road safety hero was someone who chooses to follow rules, values life and encourage others to do so. It’s about how we respect each other on the roads, he said adding that road safety was the collective efforts of various departments, and praised the departments and NGOs and individual volunteers, who were working towards road safety. He informed that the Department will be implementing smart technologies to further the cause of road safety in Goa.
Winners of the film making competition on road safety were felicitated on the occasion.
Road safety week which begins today will be observed till October 20, 2024.
