October 13, 2025

Panaji: Goa is facing a chilling rise in road accident deaths, especially among pedestrians. From January to September 2025, 45 pedestrians tragically lost their lives on the roads — a sharp 50% jump compared to 30 deaths in the same months last year. But wait, September alone turned deadly with a staggering 600% increase in pedestrian deaths — seven lives were lost this September compared to just one last year! On the brighter side, cyclist deaths miraculously hit zero during this period, although four cyclists had died by this time last year. Why this sudden surge in pedestrian deaths? Police blame a big drop in traffic rule enforcement. Traffic cases registered fell by half and fine collections dropped by 39%, making many drivers and riders feel fearless on Goa’s roads. In two heart-wrenching accidents last month, a 74-year-old pedestrian named Berta Mascarenhas E Pinto was crushed by a bus driven by George Dias in Betalbatim. In another tragic incident in Old Goa, reckless driving by 24-year-old Sahil Divkar led to the deaths of pedestrians Sukanta Pradhan (43) and Sushil Beraboth (58). Police say that fatal road crashes in Goa increased by 13% this year for the first time. September’s fatal accident toll was the same as last year — 17 fatal crashes causing 18 deaths, showing that the problem is firmly here. A senior police officer said bluntly, “The lack of enforcement on the ground, due to instructions from state govt, has left no fear in the minds of riders and drivers.” The traffic cell has already reached out to the Public Works Department (PWD) asking for urgent short-term and long-term measures to bring down these scary numbers. Looking at the bigger picture, Goa reported a total of 190 fatal accidents until October 2025, compared to 207 in 2024, showing a slight overall improvement. However, after a great start with fewer accidents in the first three quarters, September has worsened the situation with rising pedestrian deaths. Goa’s roads need more safety and stricter enforcement, or this deadly trend could grow worse. The state must act fast to save lives and bring back the fear of breaking traffic rules among drivers! Keep your eyes open and stay safe on the roads!

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Tags: Pedestrian deaths, Road accidents, Traffic enforcement, Goa, Fatal accidents, Road safety,