Panaji: Riding two-wheelers without a helmet remains one of the most common traffic violations in Goa, with police in 2025 booking over two lakh traffic violations, of which more than 25 per cent were related to the non-use of helmets.
As per the Motor Vehicles Act, both the rider and the pillion rider are required to wear helmets. Police records show that in 62 different traffic violation categories, a total of 2,14,602 cases were booked in 2025, of which 54,055 were for riding without a helmet.
Non-use of helmets is a major road safety issue, said a senior police officer.
“A helmet can protect you from a head injury in case of an accident and that most of the deaths of rider/pillion riders are due to head injuries,” said the officer, adding that “It will make a lot of difference in road safety if people change their behaviour towards helmet use.”
The officer said motorists caught riding without a helmet can also face suspension of their licence for a period of three months.
As per road accident statistics, 270 persons were killed in road accidents last year, with two-wheeler riders and pillion riders accounting for over 70 per cent of the fatalities. In 2025, 157 two-wheeler riders and 34 pillion riders were killed in road accidents.
Police records said that 96 people were killed in single-vehicle crashes or self-accidents, while 174 lost their lives in multi-vehicle collisions. A total of 470 vehicles were involved in 259 fatal accidents that claimed 270 lives in 2025. Of these vehicles, 274 were two-wheelers, 147 were four-wheelers, and 49 were six-wheelers and above.
In total, 2,370 road accidents occurred in 2025, of which 1,445 did not cause injuries. Among the fatalities, 157 two-wheeler riders lost their lives, accounting for over 58 per cent of road accident deaths.
Police said that 43 road accident spots — 13 accident-prone zones and 30 black spots — were identified in 2024, with suggestions for road improvements. Of these, 22 spots are in North Goa and 21 in South Goa.
