WHY ARE STATES YET TO ADOPT THE SC’S 5 KEY MEASURES?

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

WHY ARE STATES YET TO ADOPT THE SC’S 5 KEY MEASURES?

1. Why the Supreme Court's Directions Matter

The Supreme Court of India issued important directions to improve post-crash emergency care and reduce road accident deaths. The objective is to ensure that accident victims receive immediate medical assistance during the "Golden Hour," the first 60 minutes after a crash, when timely treatment greatly increases survival chances. The Court directed all states and Union Territories to strengthen emergency response systems through better coordination, technology, and legal support. Effective implementation can significantly reduce fatalities and permanent disabilities caused by road accidents. However, compliance across India remains uneven, highlighting the need for stronger administrative commitment and better coordination among authorities.

2. The Five Key Measures

The Supreme Court recommended five essential measures to improve post-accident emergency response across India. These include establishing a common emergency phone number, deploying GPS-enabled ambulances, implementing a Good Samaritan Law to protect helpers, creating a trauma registry to monitor serious injuries, and adopting a standardized rescue protocol. Together, these measures aim to provide quick medical assistance, improve ambulance response time, encourage public participation, and ensure better coordination among hospitals, police, and emergency services. Proper implementation of these measures can save thousands of lives each year and strengthen India's overall road safety and disaster response system.

3. Major Gaps in Implementation