Times News NetworkMargao: South Goa traffic police laid emphasis on road user education during the recently-concluded traffic safety week, with the district’s nine traffic cells conducting 116 awareness lectures.Of these, 4,480 sessions were held in schools and colleges, guiding students and 216 teachers. Awareness programmes were also held for taxi and rickshaw drivers, bus drivers and personnel from the police, fire services, and Navy, besides employees of private companies.South Goa SP (traffic) Rajendra Prabhudesai said accidents have risen this year, but deaths have fallen. From Jan to Sept, 1,005 accidents were recorded, in which 91 people died. In the same period last year, there were 915 accidents and 96 deaths. Accidents rose by 9.8%, while fatal accidents remained at 92. The number of deaths dropped from 96 in 2025 to 91, a 5.2% decline.Serious injuries, however, rose 33%, from 130 to 173. Deaths in self-accidents fell from 36 to 28, and their share in total fatalities dropped from 39.1% to 30.1%, he said.Ponda traffic cell recorded the most accidents at 159. Under Margao traffic cell, Margao police station limits saw 100 accidents, Cuncolim 96, and Curtorim 89.According to the Sept special enforcement report, police stepped up action against violators. Cases of speeding rose from 9,920 last year to 18,690 this year. Drunk driving cases dipped from 1,700 to 1,300. As two-wheelers account for most fatalities, helmet violation cases rose from 15,940 to 27,058.
