17% dip in accidents, govt credits AI & data analytics

Panaji: Goa has recorded a 17% reduction in road accidents over the past three years, transport minister Mauvin Godinho said on Wednesday, attributing the decline to improved road engineering, black spot rectification and coordinated inter-departmental efforts.
Speaking at a data-driven hyperlocal intervention workshop organised by the directorate of transport in collaboration with IIT Madras, Godinho said the state’s road safety strategy is increasingly shifting towards technology-based enforcement and data-led planning.
“There was a time when Goa was referred to as the accident capital of the country, which was a very unfortunate tag. Through coordinated efforts of the transport department, PWD and other agencies, we have managed to reduce accident rates by 17% in the last three years,” he said.
He said artificial intelligence and data analytics will play a larger role in identifying high-risk zones and preventing accidents. “With artificial intelligence becoming increasingly available, it is now possible to use data more effectively to identify risks and prevent accidents,” he said.
Godinho added that evidence-based policymaking and automated traffic enforcement through surveillance systems are key priorities for the state. He said 26 AI-based traffic cameras, initially scheduled to be operational by June 16, will now be activated from July 1, following public awareness initiatives.
The minister said early results from AI-based surveillance have shown a reduction in reckless driving and stunt riding along the Dona Paula stretch after camera installation.
He also highlighted tourism-related traffic challenges, noting that high tourist inflow often contributes to traffic violations and road safety risks. “Currently, around one crore tourists visit Goa annually. If this increases to one-and-a-half crore, managing traffic without technology will become impossible,” he said. Godinho said emerging global developments could further boost Goa’s tourism sector, making stronger road safety systems even more essential.
Calling road safety a collective responsibility, he urged govt departments, educational institutions and local communities to work together to reduce accidents further and make Goa one of the safest states for road users.