Panaji: Despite steep penalties, drunk driving continues to be a major concern in Goa, with the traffic cell of Goa police booking 1,525 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol in the first six months of 2026 — an average of at least nine cases every day.More than 400 of these cases were detected during special enforcement drives. During the same period, traffic police also registered over 1,500 cases against motorists for using mobile phones while driving.A senior police officer said the leading causes of road accidents in the state include drunk driving, mobile phone use while driving, distracted driving, jumping traffic signals, and reckless, dangerous or aggressive driving.Police said driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable under Section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act. A person found driving with a blood alcohol level exceeding 30mg per 100ml of blood, or driving under the influence of drugs to the extent of being incapable of exercising proper control over the vehicle, can be punished for a first offence with imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of Rs 10,000, or both.A second or subsequent offence is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of Rs 15,000, or both.“Any amount of alcohol in the bloodstream can impair driving ability. Safe driving requires concentration, sound judgement and quick reactions, all of which are affected by alcohol, putting both the driver and other road users at risk,” a police officer said.Police said alcohol slows reaction time, making it harder for drivers to assess and respond to hazards, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.
