02-05-2025
Goa unveils tech-driven Road Safety Policy for 2025
Traffic passes an automated speed camera outside Beacon Hill Middle School in Decatur, Ga., on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
Panaji:
State govt has unveiled a technology-led Road Safety Policy, 2025, to overhaul every facet of Goa's transport and road safety framework — by harnessing AI-powered surveillance and data-driven engineering reforms among other tools.
According to the policy, an AI-Based Traffic Management System will detect and document traffic violations such as speeding, helmetless riding, seatbelt non-compliance, and jumping red lights.
The system will also identify end-of-life vehicles, expired insurance policies, and stolen vehicles. The system will be created on the public-private partnership model to enable real-time implementation by integrating traffic information with law enforcement data.
To tighten control over driver licensing and vehicle fitness rules, the policy mandates the establishment of at least one automated testing station in every district, and at least one Institute of Driving Training and Research or Regional Driving Training Centre in the state. These centres will be set up under the public-private partnership model.
Goa will fully sync the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) with the e-Detailed Accident Report system. These platforms allow the collection and cross-analysis of crash data from police, transport, highway, and health departments.
Training and sensitisation programmes will be conducted across departments, particularly for high-risk zones and black spots.
Based on the data from iRAD and traffic police reports, accident hotspots will be targeted for redesigns, including speed-curbing measures, improved lighting, pedestrian walkways, and better signage.
A dedicated 'lead agency for road safety' will bring under one umbrella all the major stakeholders, including traffic police, the transport department, the PWD, and the health department.
District and state road safety councils will convene regular reviews to track the implementation, plug enforcement gaps, and make data-backed course corrections.
Strict enforcement is set to become the norm, with 100% saturation set for high-security registration plates, vehicle location tracking devices, and speed governors on all transport vehicles. Non-compliance will result in licence suspension, insurance issues, and potential criminal liability. All fitness renewals will be tethered to these safety parameters.
Recognising that infrastructure alone cannot end road fatalities, the policy includes mass awareness and behavioural training campaigns. The TRUST (Traffic Rules Understanding and Safety Training) programme will be scaled up to re-train drivers with suspended licences.
Road safety education will also be taken to schools, colleges, and workplaces, evoking a culture of compliance rather than mere legal obligation.
An analysis of accidents in 2024 by the traffic cell of Goa police has revealed that straight roads account for over 81% of the accidents in the state. Around 73% of the persons who died in road accidents were two-wheeler riders. A total of 207 motorcyclists lost their lives in road accidents that year.
A senior police officer said that 97.5% of the accidents occurred due to rash and negligent driving, and 34.4% occurred on national highways.
