Cash awards for those who help save lives of accident victims: state

In a move to encourage people travelling on highways and roads to help accident victims, especially in the crucial first hour post the accident, the state home department has decided to reward good Samaritans, and also relax rules that require them to repeatedly appear in courts as witnesses.

In a move to encourage people travelling on highways and roads to help accident victims, especially in the crucial first hour post the accident, the state home department has decided to reward good Samaritans, and also relax rules that require them to repeatedly appear in courts as witnesses.

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Home minister RR Patil made the announcement in the state legislative council on Thursday, in reply to a question raised by Congress legislator Sudhir Tambe about the rise in the number of road accidents.

The state also intends to increase the amount of fine levied for traffic offences.

Patil called for the formation of a state committee comprising minister of state for home Satej Patil, minister of state for public works Ranjit Kamble, minister of state for public health Fauzia Khan and minister of state for transport Gulabrao Deokar, which will look into the lacunae in the system, and take timely reviews to keep a check on the accident rate.

"The first hour after a traumatic injury or accident, also called the golden hour, is crucial. The first people to reach the spot are fellow riders or people walking along who witness the accident, not the police authorities. Our observation is that people don't come forward and help because of the complicated court procedures following an accident. Hence, we have decided to implement some changes to encourage people to help," said Patil.

He announced that the home department has decided to reward such good Samaritans. The rewards have been divided into three categories — Rs1.5 lakh, Rs1 lakh and Rs50,000 —depending on the level of help. The local police stations will identify such individuals or institutions eligible for rewards.

Also, people helping in such situations will not be required to repeatedly visit courts. Instead, their statement would be recorded only once in the local police station, said Patil.

"The fine for cutting a lane is Rs100. People just pay off that amount and continue to take the wrong lane. Similar is the case with people who drink and drive. We have decided to increase the fines which we hope will prevent this," said Patil.