Helmet Violations Account for Two-Thirds of Driving Licence Suspensions in Goa
Panaji: In a stark revelation about road safety compliance, data from the Directorate of Transport shows that helmet violations alone were responsible for suspending two out of every three driving licences in Goa during 2025. This alarming statistic highlights the persistent challenge of enforcing basic safety measures among motorists in the coastal state.
Over 9,000 Licences Suspended for Traffic Offences
A comprehensive analysis of traffic enforcement data reveals that a total of 9,207 motorists faced driving licence suspensions in Goa last year due to various traffic violations. Among these, the overwhelming majority—6,206 suspensions—were directly attributed to riding without helmets. This represents a substantial 67% of all licence suspensions, clearly indicating that helmet non-compliance remains the primary contributor to disciplinary action on Goan roads.
Quarterly Breakdown Shows Concerning Trends
The year 2025 witnessed a total of 71,668 recorded instances of helmetless riding across Goa. The violation pattern showed significant quarterly fluctuations:
- January to March: 15,902 violations recorded
- April to June: 11,770 cases, showing a slight decline
- July to September: 21,128 violations, marking a sharp increase
- October to December: 22,868 cases, the peak quarter for violations
This quarterly progression demonstrates that despite enforcement efforts, helmet violations not only persisted but actually intensified as the year progressed, reaching their highest point in the final quarter.
Other Traffic Violations Show Consistent Patterns
While helmet violations dominated the suspension statistics, other traffic offences continued to show concerning consistency throughout 2025:
- Drunken driving: Resulted in 691 licence suspensions
- Mobile phone usage while driving: Led to 663 suspensions
- Speeding violations: Accounted for 469 cases
- Seat belt violations: Rose to 269 instances for the year
Surprisingly, despite being a major contributor to serious accidents, rash and negligent driving was recorded in only 15 cases throughout the entire year, suggesting potential under-reporting or enforcement challenges for this particular violation.
Suspension Patterns Reflect Enforcement Challenges
The quarterly suspension data reveals interesting patterns in enforcement effectiveness:
- First quarter: 2,871 suspensions (highest of the year)
- Second quarter: 1,390 suspensions (52% decrease from previous quarter)
- Third quarter: 2,473 suspensions (sharp rebound)
- Fourth quarter: 2,473 suspensions (consistent with third quarter)
This fluctuation suggests that while enforcement efforts have been implemented, they may not be creating lasting behavioral change among motorists.
AI Technology Promises Enhanced Enforcement
Traffic officials acknowledge the limitations of current enforcement methods. "We cracked a whip on traffic violations physically; however, with artificial intelligence (AI) traffic cameras, there will be a game changer in traffic control and help curb violations across Goa," a traffic official stated.
In response to these challenges, the Directorate of Transport, in coordination with the Public Works Department, has announced plans to install AI-based traffic cameras at 92 locations across Goa in the first phase of implementation. This technological upgrade aims to strengthen road safety enforcement through more consistent and comprehensive monitoring of traffic violations.
The introduction of AI surveillance systems represents a significant shift in Goa's approach to traffic management, moving from primarily physical enforcement to technology-driven monitoring that promises greater efficiency and coverage in identifying and penalizing traffic violations.
