Helping traffic cops save lives

Most of the road accident victims die due to head injuries. Realising the importance of the ‘golden hour’ in rescuing such victims, the city traffic police decided to impart basic knowledge among its personnel on how to act during the crucial period.

In the backdrop of ‘World Head Injury Awareness Day’ being observed on March 20, the city traffic police, in association with BGS Global Hospitals, held a workshop for traffic personnel on how to attend to people who receive head injuries in road accidents. Experts from the hospital showed how to act during the golden hour.

Additional commissioner of police (traffic) MA Saleem said that 75 to 80% of deaths in road accidents happen due to head injuries.

“In coming days, we will carry out a drive to create awareness on the importance of wearing helmet in the city. Head injuries can be prevented and lives can be save if motorist wear the helmet while riding. We have conducted workshop for traffic cops as they play a crucial role in attending motorists who receive injuries after the road accidents,” he added.

The traffic police were informed about steps they need to follow during the golden hour. Some of the instruction given include shifting the injured person to a safe place with the help of others and immediately calling for an ambulance.

The training was focused on how to attend to the victims till the ambulance arrives. They were also told some do’s and don’ts that they need to follow while attending to victims, like - not to handle the victim alone, not to pour water in the victim’s mouth and not to transport the victim unassisted, especially if spinal injury is suspected.

Chief neurosurgeon of BGS Global Hospitals Dr NK Venkataramana said that as per the WHO reports, the highest cases of road accidents were reported in India. In the previous year, 1.05 lakh people lost their  lives due to road accidents and most of them were in the age group of 15 to 40 years.

@DNA