Panaji: Between Jan 1 and July 6 this year, Goa recorded 1,357 road accidents, including 136 fatal accidents that claimed 142 lives. Alarmed by the rising number of road accidents, transport minister Mauvin Godinho took to social media on Tuesday to declare Thar SUVs under rent-a-cab as ‘high-risk’ vehicles.“We reviewed proposals to regulate high-risk rent-a-cab Thar vehicles, which will be placed before the transport authority for consideration,” he wrote.The issue came under focus during a high-level review meeting chaired by Godinho at the secretariat.There are a total of 6,762 rent-a-cabs registered with the directorate of transport, however, there is no break-up maintained on how many of these are Thars alone.The meeting also resolved to strengthen enforcement against serious traffic violations. “Rent-a-cab drivers involved in major accidents will face immediate legal action, along with appropriate action against the vehicle owner or operator, while enforcement against the illegal commercial use of private vehicles will be further intensified,” he said.Transport department’s head of enforcement, Cedric Cordeiro said the concern stems from the increasing number of serious accidents involving Thars. “Nearly 30% of accidents so far this year were tourist-related crashes involving Thar vehicles hired on rent,” he told TOI.“Earlier the police would seize the vehicle, impound the driver’s licence and release the driver. We are now considering stronger legal action within the framework of the law, including suspension of driving licences,” he said.Govt, however, has not announced a blanket ban on Thars in the state.“Thars are usually rented by tourists generally in the 20-35 age group who are most often found driving rashly under the influence of alcohol. Drivers involved in major accidents will face immediate legal action like driving licence suspension, while vehicle owners and operators will face cancellation of licence to operate. In case of death, the drivers will be charged under culpable homicide amounting to murder,” deputy superintendent of police, North Goa (Traffic), Sudesh Narvekar, told TOI.Last month alone, two major fatalities were reported. All Goa rent-a-cab owners association president, Nitesh Chodankar said that majority of these Thar vehicles are illegally operating in Goa and not registered as rent-a-cab with the directorate of transport. “These Thars are bringing a bad name to our association. Our Thars have speed governors that do not allow the driver to overspeed and we counsel all our clients to avoid drunken driving. We welcome the minister’s move to crack a whip on such vehicles,” he said.
