Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Awards for saving accident victims

Staff Reporter

Coimbatore: Persons who render timely assistance in saving the life of an accident victim will be honoured with an award, the Inspector-General of Police, West Zone, K. Rajendran said on Monday.

Talking to reporters, Mr.Rajendran said that due to sustained and stepped up enforcement drive against violation of road rules in the last few months, the fatal accident rate had come down considerably. Besides enforcement, the police in West Zone also introduced an initiative to intercept vehicles with single drivers on the highways during the small hours.

The drivers were made to rest for few hours and were allowed to proceed only after refreshing themselves. Similarly, a drive was conducted against over speeding and over loading and also against use of cargo vehicles for public transportation.

Assistance

Timely medical assistance to an accident victim during the `Golden Hour' was essential to save the life of an accident victim. Hitherto fearing police harassment in the name of enquiry and evidence, motorists remained mere spectators or onlookers in the event of an accident.

Assuring that the police would not subject such "Good Samaritans" to harassment in the name of police enquiry or evidence before a court, the police have urged the public to save accident victims by removing them to the nearest hospital.

In a number of cases due to absence of medical care during the golden hour, a number of victims had lost their lives since fearing harassment, the public waited for the police and ambulance to arrive.

The IG announced that the respective superintendents of police in the districts would present such persons with an award for "Best Citizen with Humanism".

The system is coming into force with immediate effect in Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem Rural, Namakkal, Erode, Coimbatore Rural and the Nilgiris districts, he said.

In a bid to motivate drivers to co-operate in accident prevention measures, the police launched a drive to honour disciplined drivers with a bouquet and shawl.

Such honours would certainly motivate the drivers to be responsible on the road, besides making other drivers to follow suit.

The Superintendent of Police, Coimbatore Rural, A.T. Duraikumar presented flowers and shawl to drivers at Periyanaickenpalayam. Deputy Superintendents of Police and Inspectors honoured responsible and disciplined drivers at road-junctions in their respective police limits across the district.

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