Chennai: In case of a road accident, there is a lot of hustle bustle. But does somebody really call for help? In a country with some of the world’s most dangerous roads, the victims are often left to fend for themselves; or left to die. That is exactly what happened on Anna Salai on Saturday as the bleeding accident victims were left unattended on road for nearly 30 minutes till an auto driver finally came for help.
This apathy is mostly due to people being scared of police and legal proceedings hence hesitating to get victims the help they require. But that is not the case, argues S. Balachandran, an advocate from the city saying most of the public are unaware of the guidelines by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways , that would encourage bystanders to help victims of accidents.
“According to the guidelines, any good samaritan who takes an accident victim to a hospital will not be asked any questions and can leave immediately. He/she cannot be forced to stay unless they are an eyewitness in which case only their address can be noted. Also, a bystander who calls the police or emergency service to the site of a road accident does not have to reveal his name or any other personal details on the phone or in person,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will issue guidelines which will prevent public and private hospitals to not detain bystanders or good samaritans or ask them to pay for registration and admission costs unless he/she is a family member of the injured person.
