MARGAO: The first ever annual accident data of Goa revealed that the maximum number of accidents that took place in 2018 calender year were in rural areas. The number is almost double as compared to urban areas. What is more surprising is that the data has reported not a single dur to potholes or ongoing road works in 2018. It may be noted that a few year back the Supreme Court had issued an order asking all the state governments to prepare an annual accident data. Court has also ordered to prepare the data in detail and not just the numbers. And hence, the Transport Department of Goa has preapared its first ever deail accident data report of the year 2018. The accident data of 2019 is expected to be ready by March or April 2020.
The copy of data which accessed by GT scribe revealed that 2,525 accidents have been reported in rural areas, while urban areas have recorded 1,184 accidents. It has also been reported that the maximum number of the accident had taken place between 6pm to 9 pm and nearly 700 accident have been reported between the mentioned time. This is the time when most people return back to their homes after work. Out of the number of accidents that took place, 185 persons have been killed in road accidents in rural areas whereas 77 people were killed in urban areas. 3 pm to 6 pm is also a crucial time where most accident occurred in 2018.
The annual accident data also revealed that 3,482 accidents have been reported in sunny weather conditions and on the other hand 19 accidents took placed in rainy condition. The number of accidents reported on the national highways is 1,425. On the other hand, 331 accidents reported on state highways. Almost 3,071 accidents have taken place on straight roads and 619 accidents on curved roads. The data also shows that in 2018, nearly 1,700 motorised two wheelers met with accident. Speaking to GT with regard to the above annual accident data prepared by the Transport Department of Goa, Convenor of GOACAN Roland Martin said that, this annual accident data will be very useful pertaining to take precuations and working out the solution. "After the order of Supreme Court, this is the first time that the Goa government has preapard such type of report. This data is not just a report but a detailed study of the accidents happening in Goa state. It will help the concerned authorities to work out solutions," he added. According to him, authorities can study the detail data and concentrated on the most required issues.