Goa police stats, ET Infra

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PANAJI: Over 40% of those who died in road accidents last year were from the 18-35 age group, according to Goa police statistics. The data also reveals that most accidents take place between noon and 9pm.

Road safety activists have flagged the worrisome consequences of so many road accident deaths in the productive age group. Goacan coordinator Roland Martins said people in this age group are usually bread-earners of their families, and therefore accidents “bring a huge burden in terms of disruption in family life, new financial challenges, and mental stress on dependents, who are caregivers”.

He also said that there are many in this age group who have suffered grievous injuries resulting in them facing life-long disabilities.

Of the 271 persons who died in road accidents last year, 81 died due to not-wearing of helmets, Goa police data shows. The year saw 3,011 accidents, 2,560 of them on national highways. The data also reported 35 hit-and-run cases.

Martins said that besides studying the behaviour of accident victims, it is also important to gather proper data on the crashes that have taken place, so that the data leads to a holistic approach to the solution.

“While the improper or non-wearing of helmets and seatbelts, underage riding, intake of alcohol or sleep deprivation may be causes, we must also look closely at road design and safety of vehicles. Besides, it is important to check how many victims of fatal accidents were locals, migrant workers, or tourists, as these inputs would help in data analysis,” Martins said.

He also stressed on the need to activate the road safety & traffic management committees at the village panchayat & municipal level, so as to involve all sections of civil society. He also batted for activating police station-wise sub-committees on causes and analysis of motor accidents.

Martins said there must be road safety awareness sessions in colleges, ITIs, and industrial estates in collaboration with the directorate of higher education and technical education, GIDC, and directorate of skill development and entrepreneurship.