Over the last few years, several accidents have been reported on highways across the state of Maharashtra, whereby some people have lost their lives and many have been seriously injured. However, it is said that the injured passengers have also died due to lack of immediate treatment. Therefore, keeping this in mind, officials have planned a different solution - as a concept which will be implemented by the highway police with an aim to provide immediate first aid to the accident victims.
As per reports, officials have decided to impart first aid training to the villagers, the staff at petrol pumps and dhaba workers across the villages which connect the highway. The training for the same will be started from January 18, 2021, as a part of the road safety campaign.
Every year a large number of accidents occur on the highways due to careless or drunk driving, overtaking, driving in the opposite direction, etc. Many are killed or seriously injured. To address such issues on an immediate basis, the state government has also provided ambulance number - 108 - will would offer relief to such accident victims in a timely manner.
However, if the ambulance is delayed due to traffic jams or other reasons, one may die, and so, the Highway Police has decided to seek the help of villagers, petrol pumps, shopkeepers and people around to save the lives of the accident victims by offering first aid.
The villagers along the highway will be given detailed training on how to stop the bleeding of an injured person in an accident, the process to help one if they have a heart attack, etc. Assistance will be sought for the training of doctors working in dispensaries or social organizations in villages and talukas.
It is also being considered that first aid kits with stretchers, medical facilities can also be made available at petrol pumps and roadblocks. At present, there are 63 highway police help centres in the state and training will be imparted to the staff of these centres too.