In good news for the proverbial Good Samaritans who bring those injured in road accidents to hospital risking police harassment, the Chamoli District Magistrate Ashish Joshi asked the hospital authorities to desist from questioning them too much.
He instructed this while chairing a meeting with the district- level road safety committee officials on Monday.
DM further asked the committee members to ensure that black spots on the accident-prone stretches are identified in no time and barriers and warning boards are put up at the crossings marked as vulnerable to accidents. He affirmed that road accidents happening at regular intervals taking rising toll of lives in the district must be checked at any cost.
DM asked the hospital authorities to provide first medial aids to the injured persons without losing time in questioning those who bring the injured to the hospitals in conjunction with the Apex Court’s directive. Officers of various departments, including National Highway Authority of India, Public Works Department, PMGSY, BRO and ADB were present at the meeting.
Joshi directed the police officers to ensure that vehicle drivers are using seat belts while driving. ABD and PWD officers were directed to complete road safety works going on at Saliyana Bend - Nandprayag motor road at the earliest. SDM and Tehsildars concerned were asked to physically inspect such works.
DM also directed the officers concerned to inspect 65 places deemed sensitive to accidents and also take required steps to stop accidents. DM further asked the civic bodies to free the roads of encroachments.
Unnecessary hoardings installed along the road must soon be removed, he said. Besides, to motivate the students to abide by the traffic norms and to make others to do the same, DM asked the education officers to ensure that the students who work for the maintenance of the traffic norms are awarded appropriately.