Go help that accident victim, you'll not be the casualty

Go help that accident victim, you'll not be the casualty
Good Samaritans helping accident victims need not worry. For, they will no longer be unnecessarily called to police stations or courts.

After announcing cash rewards for those who help accident victims, the state has issued a government resolution (GR) directing the police to record the statements of witnesses — or those who help move accident victims to hospitals — electronically, that is through audio-visual means.

The GR says witnesses are reluctant to help accident victims because of legal hassles and lengthy procedures involved as they are frequently summoned to police stations and courts for recording statements or clarifying doubts.

This also means victims often do not get medical attention in the golden hour resulting in deaths.

So, the state decided to make it easier for witnesses by ensuring their statements are recorded electronically.

A home department official said the 2009 amended Criminal Procedure Code has a provision for audio-visual recording of witness statements.

“We have asked policemen to follow it in accident cases. It will also motivate people to come forward and help accident victims,” he said. “Once their statements are recorded, witnesses need not be called to police stations or courts.”

Last July, home minister RR Patil announced in the assembly cash rewards of Rs1,50,000, Rs1,00,000 and Rs50,000 for good Samaritans. But the proposal is still to be implemented.

Maharashtra currently ranks fourth in the country in road accidents, with 13,600 people dying every year.