Porvorim (Goa): Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday assured the State Legislative Assembly to reduce the total number of accidental deaths by 30-40 percent in next five years.
Speaking during the calling attention motion on road accidental deaths moved by Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane, Chief Minister said the number of fatalities has witnessed a sharp rise but the figures are almost constant.
Like in 2015, total 311 deaths were reported and the number went upto 336 in 2016, he said adding the figures are playing within 350. He said for the current year upto April 30, 109 fatal accidents have been reported, while the number was 105 in 2016
“Every death pains me but I find nothing special in the number. They are almost constant,” Parrikar told House assuring to reduce the number of deaths by 30-40 percent in next five years..
Chief Minister said that of the total number of accidental deaths reported last year, one third number of people have died in self accidents. “There is lot of rash and negligent driving resulting into self accidents and deaths. Last year of the total336 deaths, 96 people died in self accidents,” he said.
Remedial counseling for frequent traffic offender, strict enforcement on usage of helmet and special action plan, are some of the measures the State government proposes to introduce to curb road accidents and subsequent deaths.
With increasing number of police officers being involved in traffic violations, Parrikar also announced to dismiss the police personnel, who are found violating traffic rules.
“There is need to strengthen enforcement on usage of helmet. No wearing of helmet is one of the causes for deaths amongst motorcyclists,” he said.
Chief Minister said that during the year 2016, total 8,160 cases were sent to transport department for suspension of driving licenses, which involved 353 cases of drivers involved in serious and fatal accidents. “Total 566 licenses were suspended for that year,” he said.
Whereas, in the year 2017till April 30 total 1,208 cases are referred for suspension of driving licenses. Of these, 192 licenses were suspended in the first three months of the year.
Team TNV
