It is good to know that the Centre is drafting concrete guidelines to protect individuals from police and legal harassment when they come to the aid of accident victims on the streets. It has been prompted by an NGO sponsoring a PIL asking for immunity to helping hands. The principles are sound and are as follows. Passers-by providing first aid at an accident site should not be forced to reveal their identities or to visit police stations for recording their statements and doing other paper work. The police should contact them at their residence or work place. The helpers should also be guaranteed. Immunity from civil liability for offering emergency assistance before professional help comes on the scene. Such help may even be necessary to save lives. It may be imperative for such helpers to take the accident victims to the nearest hospitals to ensure that medical help is given at the critical moment.
At present, bystanders are discouraged from extending assistance at the time of an accident. They are afraid of getting involved in prolonged court procedure following police harassment. Legal complexities keep them away even if their conscience prods them. The Centre should be complimented for trying to make things easier for them. It is proposed that a committee should be set up comprising experts from legal, road transport and health ministries to introduce a set of incentives for people. It will enable cashless treatment of road accident victims and guarantee prompt medical treatment. There should be no harassment of the helpers and the new rules should be given due publicity. A comprehensive list of hospitals where accident victims can be taken should be made available. That will encourage conscientious citizens to be active citizens.