Helping those in need

[newbiee]

I once heard that there is a so called "good samaritan" law in France.  Whereby it is illegal to ignore somebody who is need of assistance.  For instance, if you see a car accident, it is illegal to just drive by.  Even if all you can do is get medical assistance. 

I found this to be really interesting.  Is there such a law in existance?  If so, can anybody shed a bit of light on it?

Thanks

[Cat]

Yes there is a law, there is a short description here

http://www.vie-publique.fr/decouverte-institutions/citoyen/citoyennete/definition/devoirs/est-on-oblige-assister-personne-danger.html

And the article of the penal code is here The law

I believe that the reporters on the scene of the car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana were investigated for non assistance à personne en danger.

[Maricopa]

Such a law does exist, though I can't currently find the reference, but from my Code de la Route:

L'accident vient de se produire - il faut absolutement s'arrèter et porter assistance aux victimes

La non-assistance à personne en danger est sévèrement punie

The accident has just happened - you must stop and give help to the victims

Not helping persons in danger is severely punished.

If a find a reference, I'll let you know.[:D]

Edit: Thanks for the ref Cat, you beat me to it!

[Cat]

In brief, you are expected to aid the person in danger, as long as doing so does not put your own life at risk.

[Clair]

The aid in question can be simply calling the emergency services and/or warning others of a potential danger by putting a warning triangle on the road in case of a car accident.

You are not expected to provide first-aid of any kind (unless you are a first-aider and want to help).

[newbiee]

I really like the idea of this law.  Of course, you'd hope people would help you if you needed it, just as you'd help somebody else.  But there's something nice about a law that says you must try and help if you can.

[JMB]

I find it apalling that there should be a need for such a law.  It doesn't guarantee that anyone will stop, as was my experience when I ran out of fuel 30ks south of St Malo and nobody, including the police, bothered to stop.  Even my four year old flashing her knickers at passing cars didn't help!

[Val_2]

Yes but you did not have an accident so therefore two good feet can get to a house and borrow a jerrycan. An accident is a totally different kettle of fish to running out of petrol.

[PaulT]

[quote user="John Martin BRADLEY"]I find it apalling that there should be a need for such a law.  It doesn't guarantee that anyone will stop, as was my experience when I ran out of fuel 30ks south of St Malo and nobody, including the police, bothered to stop.  Even my four year old flashing her knickers at passing cars didn't help!
[/quote]

That was not an accident, it was deliberate. Cars have fuel gauges, something that should be checked regularly, especially if going on to an Autoroute. If you have not checked the gauge and made sure that you have sufficient then why should other people delay themselves.

Plus, always make sure that you have far more than you would normally require in case of stoppages.

It is a good job that airline pilots ensure they have sufficient fuel for their trips.

Paul

[JMB]

You're quite right, I shouldn't have deliberately run out of fuel.

BTW I am the son of an airine pilot and I can tell you some stories that would make you shake you head in disbelief ...

[Clair]

[quote]La non assistance à personne en danger est sanctionnée par le code pénal. Lorsqu’une personne peut secourir quelqu’un qui court un risque pour sa

vie ...[/quote]

Were you in danger?

[Cat]

The law is meant to ensure that help, rescue or first aid is given to someone whose life is in danger,

Although it is pretty rotten that no one stopped to help you all the same.