The guidelines issued by the Supreme court work in favour of the good samaritan who will not be subjected to any kind of civil or criminal liability by the authorities, among other protection.
India has one of the highest accident rates globally and it is most unfortunate that almost 50 percent people lose their lives in road accidents despite having treatable injuries. While the lack of emergency and medical infrastructure is an issue we are all aware of, another problem that haunts accident victims is the lack of help provided by pedestrians or bystanders. The latter is a rather simple issue to be dealt with and needs the willingness of you and me to help that motorist who’s just met with an accident. However, given the complexities that the current system provides, most folks will refrain from doing so in order to not entangle themselves in legal hassles. Nonetheless, the Indian government has taken note of this sentiment and has worked a way to solve this problem.
Thanks to the petition by SaveLIFE Foundation, a Delhi based non-profit organisation focused on improving road safety, the Supreme Court has issued new guidelines that encourage the bystander and good samaritans to help accident victims. The guidelines state that once the good samaritan takes the injured to the hospital, he/she will be allowed to leave the hospital immediately, except after furnishing the address by the eyewitness only and no questions will be asked to the bystander or good samaritan.
The samaritan who called the emergency services or the police will not be compelled to reveal his name or personal details on the phone or in person. The apex court further stated that he shall not be made accountable for any criminal or civil liability and if any official attempts to intimidate the good samaritan, the same will be faced with departmental action. Even the doctors who refuse to attend accident victims will be subjected to disciplinary action. The hospitals won’t ask the samaritan for treatment money either, under the new guidelines.
You can read the complete guideline for Good Samaritans HERE.
The said guidelines were brought into effect given the lack of helping hands that can be seen on the roads today. Certainly an extremely positive move, SaveLIFE Foundation is now looking to ensure propagation of these guidelines to instil awareness and confidence in the citizens. However, at present these are just guidelines and the non-profit organisation is working to convert them into the ‘Good Samaritan Act’ that will enforce the same into a law. So the next time you find someone who is in dire need of help, make sure to think twice before driving away. That could’ve been you.
