Systemic Road Safety Failures Exposed in South Goa District Committee Meeting
At the South Goa district road safety committee meeting held on Friday, significant and troubling systemic lapses across multiple government departments were brought to light, raising alarms about public safety. The session, which convened key stakeholders, underscored a pattern of negligence and inefficiency that threatens road safety initiatives in the region.
Flawed Safety Audit Process Questioned
Roland Martins, representing Goacan, a prominent consumer network organisation, raised serious doubts about the validity of a recently conducted safety audit. He pointed out that neither the traffic police nor the transport department was consulted during this critical process, rendering the audit potentially incomplete and unreliable. This omission highlights a lack of inter-departmental coordination, which is essential for effective road safety measures.
Critical Gaps in Ambulance Services
Significant deficiencies in ambulance availability and compliance were flagged, particularly in rural talukas. Reports indicated that vehicles and drivers were often absent during emergencies, jeopardizing timely medical responses. This gap not only endangers lives but also reflects broader systemic failures in healthcare and emergency services infrastructure.
Education Department Criticised for Neglect
The education department faced sharp criticism for its failure to implement road safety curricula introduced for Classes 6 to 9. Additionally, it was noted that mandatory student transport safety committees have been neglected, missing a crucial opportunity to instill safety awareness among young students. This oversight undermines long-term efforts to cultivate a culture of road safety from an early age.
Other Key Concerns Raised
- The tourism department's consistent absence from meetings, raising questions about its commitment to road safety in tourist-heavy areas.
- Use of uncalibrated breathalysers by traffic police, which could compromise the accuracy of drink-and-drive enforcement.
- Non-compliance with excise department notifications mandating drink-and-drive awareness in bars, indicating a lack of enforcement.
- Poor public awareness of the hit-and-run compensation scheme, limiting its effectiveness in supporting victims.
Calls for Action and Accountability
In response to these issues, Roland Martins called for monthly compliance reports from all departments involved in road safety. He also urged village panchayats and municipalities to submit names of road safety committee members for scheduled training, emphasizing the need for enhanced accountability and capacity building. These measures aim to address the systemic gaps and foster a more coordinated approach to improving road safety across South Goa.
