Despite Law To Protect Them, Good Samaritans Still ‘Criminals’ For Police; Survey Says 58 Per Cent Still Harassed 

A survey reveals, eight out of 10 people in India are unaware of the 2016 Good Samaritan law, reports the Times of India. The law aims to encourage citizens in offering first aid support to victims in accidents without the fear of harassment of police and other agencies.

SafeLife Foundation found alarming rates of awareness about the law in major cities across India. Chennai tops the list with lack of knowledge at 93 per cent citizen ignorance, followed by Bengaluru and Hyderabad with 92 per cent and 89 per cent ignorance respectively.

On the other end of the list, Indore has the highest awareness of the law with only 29 per cent of citizens unaware of the rule. Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi follow with 28 per cent, 22 per cent and 21 per cent respectively.

There is, however, growth in the general willingness to help victims, from 26 per cent in 2013 to 88 per cent in 2018. However, out of the number of respondents willing to aid, only 29 per cent are ready to escort the victim to hospital, while 28 per cent are willing to call the ambulance and 12 per cent eager to report to the cops.

The report also deduces the reason for which citizens are not taking action. 59 per cent of the surveyed Good Samaritans reported they were detained by the police, despite rules prohibiting the same. While police stations and hospitals welcome citizens with loud Good Samaritan charters, the non-compliance rate is 100 per cent.

Despite the law, police and hospital officials are inexperienced, with 74 per cent, and 84 per cent of them respectively not receiving proper training in the implementation of the law. The survey comprised 3,667 people, which included general citizens, Good Samaritans, police officials, hospital administrators, medical practitioners and trial court lawyers.