October 18, 2022, Mumbai: India suffers from the third highest number of road accidents and fatalities in the world. More than 4.03 lakh road accidents were reported across India in 2021, with 1.55 lakh people losing their life, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. This grim reality proves that that there is an urgent need to educate citizens on traffic rules and responsible driving. On World Trauma Day, it is this vision that has brought Johnson & Johnson Private Limited and the Indian Road Safety Campaign (IRSC) together for the third year in a row. Together, J&J and IRSC will drive a sustained effort to engage people to become Good Samaritans. As part of the awareness initiative, J&J has also launched its first patient facing website for trauma related information and resources to empower road accident victims.
Commenting on the initiative, Alok Malshet, BU Director – Trauma, PT & CMF, Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, said, “We are committed to spreading awareness about the increasing health and safety concerns in India, particularly when it comes to preventing road accidents and helping PTSD patients. Through a dedicated road safety awareness campaign, we aim to inform and educate on good driving practices. The website will serve as a ready reference for trauma patients and help them access treatments at a click of a button.”
Most of the accident victims can be saved if they are provided immediate first aid and medical attention. A major hindrance in this is the hesitation among bystanders who fear getting into legal hassles if they lend a hand of support to the victims. The awareness campaign by J&J intends to spread awareness about the ‘Golden Hour’ and the ‘Good Samaritan Law’ that protects the individuals who come forward to help accident victims, from legal harassment.
The need for people to come forward and learn first-aid techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is critical, so that they can provide first-level help to road accident victims till an ambulance or healthcare professional reaches the site. Also, along with treating physical injuries, it is crucial for accident survivors to treat their psychological wounds.
“Road accidents can be avoided if people follow traffic rules designed to keep the roads safe for both motorists and pedestrians. Citizens should be aware of the Good Samaritan behavior as bystanders can save lives escorting accident victims to the nearest hospital or call an ambulance or Police Control Room,” says Deepanshu Gupta, Co-Founder and Vice President, Indian Road Safety Campaign, Solve.
An often-neglected aspect associated with road accidents is the toll they take on victims’ mental health. Even their family members and the witnesses of such tragic events can suffer with PTSD long after the incident. PTSD symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, or uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic memory. Patients often refrain from discussing these symptoms with others due to the stigma attached to mental health conditions. With conversation around mental health gaining importance across the globe, it is important to destigmatize the act of seeking professional help from experts.
