New rules to protect Good Samaritans

Hyderabad: A Good Samaritan helping a road accident victim often faces hassles at the hospital followed by days spent visiting the court and police station.

However, people extending help to accident victims can now breathe easy as the ministry of road transport and highways has finally specified the guidelines for protection of people, who come forward to help accident victims, from legal and procedural hassles.

All public and private hospitals have been asked to implement the guidelines immediately and in case of non-compliance or violation, they will attract action. The guidelines have come after Supreme Court orders to the ministry for issuing necessary guidelines for protection of ‘Good Samaritans’ following the Savelife Foundation vs the Union of India case.

The guidelines have specified that not only should the people who come forward to help accident victims — be it bystanders, Good Samaritans or eyewitnesses — be kept free from any civil or criminal liability, but they should also be suitably rewarded to encourage such behaviour.

When a bystander takes an accident victim to the nearest hospital, he/she should be allowed to leave immediately and no questions should be asked, barring their address.

Also when such a person makes a phone call to inform the police about an accident, he/she should not be compelled to reveal his name and personal details.

This goes even for medico-legal cases. The hospital, police as well as other involved authorities have been asked to make requirement of name and contact details voluntary and optional.