Road deaths rose by 37% this Nov, fatal accidents by 33%

Panaji: There was a 33% rise in fatal road accidents and a 37% increase in road deaths in Nov 2025 compared to the corresponding period last year, according to traffic police statistics. The rise in two-wheeler accidents led to a 22% increase in rider deaths in Nov.In Nov, a total of 20 fatal accidents were reported in the state, compared to 15 during the same period last year. Similarly, 22 persons were killed in road accidents in Nov 2025, as against 16 deaths recorded in Nov 2024. A fatal road accident refers to a road traffic incident resulting in death, while road deaths quantify the number of fatalities arising from these accidents.The increase in fatal road accidents has been attributed to a rise in traffic movement due to the tourist season. This is also linked to govt’s decision to reduce enforcement by withdrawing police personnel tasked with issuing challans for traffic violations. Chief minister Pramod Sawant took the decision after receiving several complaints of harassment by police personnel, especially those deployed for traffic management from the lower ranks.In the first quarter of the year, the state recorded a 23% dip in fatal road accidents and a 25% drop in road deaths, showing positive signs of traffic safety after many years when, on average, one person lost their life in a road accident every day. However, by the fourth quarter of 2025, the reduction narrowed to 6% in fatal accidents and 7% in road deaths, which is again a major concern.Goa police had set a target to reduce fatal accidents by 10% in 2025. The traffic cell booked nearly 1.6 lakh people for traffic violations till Nov, marking an overall reduction of about 48%.The traffic cell also stepped up awareness drives by conducting campaigns in schools, colleges, and panchayats. Over 700 lectures were held, educating more than 40,000 people on traffic rules.The traffic cell has written to the PWD seeking both short-term and long-term measures to reduce accidents. An analysis of accidents in 2024 revealed that the maximum number occurred between 6pm and 7pm. “A higher number of accidents occur after office hours as everyone is in a hurry to get home,” said a senior police officer.