Panaji: Goa recorded a 33% decline in pedestrian deaths on state roads during the first nine months of 2026, while cyclist deaths increased by 200%, according to data from the Goa Police traffic cell. The state reported 1,965 road accidents through Sept 2026, up from 1,726 in the corresponding period last year, a 13% increase.Thirty pedestrians died in road accidents till Sept this year, down from 45 during the same period last year. Two cyclists were killed in road accidents, compared to none in the corresponding period last year.Despite the rise in accidents, fatal accidents increased by only 1%, while the number of fatalities rose by 3% during the first nine months of the year. A fatal accident refers to a road traffic incident resulting in death, while fatalities refer to the number of people killed in such accidents.A total of 201 people were killed in road accidents till Sept 2026, compared to 196 during the same period last year. Passenger deaths rose by 200%, from four last year to 12 this year. Pillion rider deaths increased by 9%, from 21 to 23 during the same period.A senior police officer said strict enforcement and effective traffic control, backed by a visible police presence on national highways, state highways and other roads, could go a long way in reducing accidents and fatalities.“Where there are many accidents, police should book maximum traffic offenders with the sole purpose of reducing road accidents and should not book petty M.V. cases for increasing the number of challans or fine amount,” a senior traffic police officer said.An analysis of accidents has shown that the causes of accidents and fatalities vary. A senior police officer said all police stations should conduct special drives at accident-prone zones and book offenders to reduce accidents and fatalities.
