Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Mar 5: Goa has witnessed a worrying surge in drunken driving cases over the past five years, with more than 13,000 cases registered across the state during the period. The highest number — 5,346 cases — was recorded in 2024 alone, followed by 4,274 cases in 2025.
According to official data, 2,050 cases were registered in 2023, 1,387 in 2022 and 268 in 2021, indicating a sharp upward trend in recent years.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recently expressed serious concern over reckless and irresponsible driving, particularly by tourists visiting the coastal state. He said many visitors fail to follow basic traffic and safety norms, contributing significantly to road accidents and fatalities.
“The general public is once again requested not to drink and drive and risk the lives of others, and make Goan roads a safer place to drive and to prevent accidents,” Goa Police said in an advisory.
Police officials stated that so far three persons have been sentenced by different courts to simple imprisonment ranging from one to four days, along with fines between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 in drunken driving cases.
Authorities have intensified enforcement measures, including special drives against drunken driving conducted periodically across the state. Road safety awareness lectures are also organised for various sections of road users to highlight the serious consequences of driving under the influence.
Drunken driving is punishable under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act. As per the law, any person found driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle with blood alcohol content exceeding 30 mg per 100 ml, as detected by a breath analyser or laboratory test, or found under the influence of drugs impairing vehicle control, can face imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of Rs 10,000, or both for the first offence.
For a second or subsequent offence, the punishment may extend to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of Rs 15,000, or both.
Police emphasised that even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgement, concentration and reaction time. “Safe driving requires alertness and quick decision-making. Alcohol slows down response time and increases the likelihood of accidents,” an official said, urging motorists to act responsibly and prioritise road safety.