Firstaid training mandatory for bus/truck drivers from July'16

NEW DELHI: First-aid training and learning of life saving techniques will become mandatory for heavy commercial vehicle drivers from July 2016 to get a driving license (DL) or while getting it renewed in the country.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in association with the International Road Federation and Automobile Association of Upper India are jointly organising this heavy vehicle driver training programme starting from Delhi and NCR Drivers, a statement said.

"During the programme, 10,000 drivers of heavy vehicles will be trained initially in first aid, basic life support and rescue systems," Road Transport and Highways Secretary Vijay Chhibber said at the nationwide launch of the programme here.

"Untrained people are often frightened to touch casualties - but early intervention can save lives or decrease the impact of injuries, leading to quicker recovery or lesser injuries for the victims," said K K Kapila, Chairman, Geneva based International Road Federation (IRF).

The Enhanced First Aid for Drivers programme is specially developed for IRF by a team of international experts to world class standard, the statement said.

The IRF is introducing this initiative under a newly launched arm - International Collaborative Centre for Mitigation of Adverse Outcomes from Traffic Incidents (ICMOT).