Among the reasons for India’s unacceptably high rate of road accident fatalities is the inability to get timely medical treatment for victims. In a report in 2006, the Law Commission estimated that 50 per cent of accident victims would have survived had they got medical attention within an hour. Now, the Union Road Transport Ministry has added a significant clause under which a Good Samaritan’s affidavit will have the legal force of a statement. A year ago, the Union Health Ministry directed hospitals that they should not detain those who bring accident victims for admission. So far, only a few State governments have adopted the Good Samaritan guidelines.

Source: The Hindu August 24, 2016 19:52 UTC