Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jan 16: Even as the State has tightened enforcement against over-speeding and collected over Rs 56.73 crore in fines over the last five years, official data reveals that self-accidents continue to be the deadliest cause of road fatalities in Goa, claiming more than twice the number of lives lost in other fatal crashes.
According to information tabled in the Assembly by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, cases of over-speeding — now one of the largest contributors to traffic enforcement revenue — rose sharply from 5,968 cases in 2021 to 23,936 cases in 2025. Over the five-year period, fines collected from over-speeding alone amounted to Rs 56,730,150.
The data also highlights a worrying surge in drunken-driving cases, which increased from 268 in 2021 to 5,346 in 2024, before slightly declining to 4,274 cases in 2025. These offences, the CM said, are compounded in court.
Alongside these violations, Goa recorded a significant number of dangerous and reckless driving cases. While cases declined from 7,505 in 2021 to 3,960 in 2023, they rose again to 5,470 in 2024 and 5,050 in 2025, indicating fluctuating but persistent risky driving behaviour.
Sawant informed the House that the Traffic Department regularly analyses accident-prone zones and black spots and forwards proposals for corrective measures to civic bodies. He added that multiple road safety initiatives are being implemented, including refresher training under Project TRUST, school-level awareness programmes, expansion of the Traffic Warden scheme, and strict adherence to Supreme Court road safety guidelines.
“Modern gadgets such as body-worn cameras, alcometers and speed radars are being used for enforcement. Apart from routine checks, special drives are conducted, and accident-prone locations are continuously identified for improvement,” the chief minister said.
Despite enhanced enforcement and rising penalties, the data underscores that self-accidents remain the most lethal threat on Goa’s roads, pointing to the need for greater driver awareness and behavioural change alongside policing measures.