MARGAO
The Good Samaritan scheme will get a push in the city with the G R Kare College of Law teaming up with the Sub Divisional Police Office, Margao, to create awareness on the scheme.
The Good Samaritan Scheme protects Good Samaritans from harassment on the actions being taken by them to save the life of the road accident victims. The scheme rewards citizens who save life of a victim of any fatal accident by administering immediate assistance and rushing such victim to the hospital within the golden hour of the accident to provide medical treatment. The Golden Hour means the time period lasting one hour following a traumatic injury during which there is highest likelihood of preventing death by providing prompt medical care.
The awareness campaign was launched at G R Kare College of Law, Margao, by Margao PI Tulsidas Naik in the presence of Dr Maria Goretti Simoes, Officiating Principal of the Law College and Asst Prof Ruby Luis, convenor. The awareness campaign will be led by Sidhant Shirodkar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Salcete.
The awareness campaign will highlight the important aspects of the Good Samaritan Scheme. The scheme aims to motivate the general public to help the road accident victims in emergency situation and to inspire and motivate others to save innocent lives. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued guidelines to the police officers in case of motor vehicular accidents.
In terms of such guidelines the Good Samaritan is to be treated respectfully and without any discrimination on the grounds of religion, gender, nationality, caste, etc. Any person making a phone call to the police control room or police station to give information about any accidental inquiry or death, except any eyewitness, may not reveal personal details such as full name, address, phone number etc. Any police official on arrival at the scene, shall not compel the Good Samaritan to disclose his/her name, identity, address and other such details in the records form or log register.
Further, any police officer shall also not force any Good Samaritan who helps an injured person to become a witness in the matter. The option of becoming a witness in the matter shall solely rest with the Good Samaritan. The concerned police official shall allow the Good Samaritan to leave after having informed the police about an injured person on the road, and no further questions shall be asked if the Good Samaritan does not desire to be a witness in the matter.
In the event the Good Samaritan opts to become a witness, his examination by the investigating officer shall, as far as possible, be conducted at a time and place of his convenience and the investigating officer shall be dressed in plain clothes, unless the Good Samaritan chooses to visit the police station. When a Good Samaritan declares himself to be an eye witness, he shall also be allowed to give his evidence on affidavit.
