Change your attitude, help road accident victims, police commissioner tells people

Police Commissioner Sharanappa SD addresses doctors and policemen after inaugurating the World Trauma Day event at United Hospital in Kalaburagi on Thursday. | Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Police Commissioner Sharanappa SD has urged people to change their attitude and help victims of road accidents as the law gives them protection from any legal interference.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a World Trauma Day event at United Hospital here on Thursday, he said: “Don’t be afraid of misfortune, come forward to help accident victims.”

The Supreme Court has passed a landmark verdict and introduced a good Samaritan law that will reward anyone who saves the life of a road accident victim by taking him to the nearest hospital within the golden hour, he said.

Mr. Sharanappa said that an accident not only claims human lives but also an extremely valuable human resource. In addition to temporary disability, a victim often suffers from psychiatric symptoms and disorders following serious or minor traffic accident injuries.

The official said India accounts for 10-12% of all road deaths worldwide. According to a recent survey, India has the highest number of road deaths in the world.

In 2022, 1.68 lakh people died in road accidents in India, which means about 460 people died in road accidents every day in the country, Mr. Sharanappa added.

The police officer said that there was a tendency among teenagers to violate traffic rules, which increased the risk of accidents. “We have failed to reduce the number of accidents,” he added.

He urged the common people, the road department and traffic officials to work together and organize road safety awareness programs to address the problem and reduce road accidents.

“The common people must understand that traffic rules are designed to ensure public safety and not to inconvenience people,” reiterated Dr. Sharanappa.

Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu also spoke on the occasion.

United Hospital Chairman and Managing Director Vikram Siddareddy and Hospital Director and Ophthalmologist Veena Siddareddy were present.