If everything goes according to plan, in the next fortnight or so, the Union Road Transport Ministry will notify the standard operating procedure which seeks to protect bystanders or ‘good Samaritans’, who rush to the aid of an accident victim, from harassment by the police. The decision to notify the rules came after an intervention from the Supreme Court in a case filed by Savelife Foundation. The guidelines were released last year, but were never followed as they were not binding. Many bystanders simply walk away from an accident as the thought of being harassed by the police and becoming a witness in the case is overwhelming. Under the new rules a ‘good Samaritan’ can leave the hospital after furnishing his address. There will be no compulsion to give personal details including phone number. Also, the decision to become a witness is voluntary. The rules framed by the ministry could be a game changer, but much depends on the manner in which they are implemented and how long it takes for State governments to come on board. Studies suggest that 50 per cent of accident victims would have survived if rushed to a hospital quickly. The ‘good Samaritan’ rules will encourage more people to act without the thought of harassment, instead of walking away from an accident scene.
