ashley23

Does anyone have an opinion on how helpful the police in India are in the event of road accidents and such? I am pondering options other than Cambodia where I am now. I was hit by a car as I was trying to walk across the road in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I politely suggested I wanted police assistance but the driver got in her car and drove off leaving me at the side of the road, bruised, concussed and with blood dripping down my face from a head wound. I went to a police station nearby and an attendant took me back purportedly to confirm the location of the incident. When I got off the back of his motorcycle he peculiarly abruptly broke off talking with me and drove off leaving me there. Is it the same in India? Are the police in India usually corrupt, negligent or honest in their dealings with foreigners?

Kathie

Certainly, you had a terrible experience with the police in Cambodia. But I wonder why you wanted the police. I would have wanted a doctor, a clinic or a hospital!

CaliNurse

Upsetting and scary, no doubt.
What did you do after you were dropped off?
You asked the identical question on another post, but about police in Thailand and VN. Are you trying to determine where you can safely travel?

lcuy

In my experience, traffic in India is much worse than in Cambodia.

Police corruption is a big problem in many countries. Many Indians I know told me to steer clear of the police.

ashley23

I thought the police were supposed to help with such matters, Kathy.

ashley23

I waited a while, CaliNurse, and then went back to the station nearby but could not get any assistance. Am wondering about traffic safety and police assistance in places other than Cambodia.

Kathie

Not in many places, ashley. Even here in the US, if I was injured, the police would not be the first ones I'd call.

thursdaysd

@Kathie, well, in the US I would think your first call would be to 911, which would get you both an ambulance and the police. And even if no one were injured, if either party were going to put in an insurance claim you would need a police report.

@Ashley, I'm afraid that expecting the police in less-developed countries to operate as they do in the US, western Europe and Japan is a mistake. Corruption is endemic in Cambodia and India isn't much better. But I'm not sure what police assistance you wanted/needed.

jacketwatch

Well skip India first of all. It's a very corrupt country.

If you want safe from my experience go to Japan or Singapore though it's a lot mor costly.

In the US you would call 911 and police and possibly the FD would come. However I don't know if Cambodia has a 911 system and even if they do I assume you don't speak their language so that was not an option for you. The cavalier way your situation was handled is not surprising for underdeveloped countries anywhere in the world. I bet you thought this would be handled like back home but as Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz "I don't think we are in Kansas anymore." .

I hope this situation alerts you to getting travelers insurance with evacuation coverage. I would think you would not want to be hospitalized in certain countries.

Did you get any treatment as you were bleeding and possibly suffered a concussion?

Glad you are ok.

theloststory

Police in India are much much better. You dial 100 for Police. If you are a woman, insist on getting some women cops. That's a law. If you are involved in a road accident, most probably the offending party will scoot. Try and get their vehicle number if possible. We were once in a situation where we need to dial 100. The response was fantastic. We got dozens of calls to check if all was well, before the cops reached, which was barely 15/20 minutes.

Also remember people in India have a lot of empathy. You may find total strangers helping you out (many people would also want to mention being ripped off, but that happens everywhere too).

If you are in some emergency also consider getting in touch with your country's consulate. Carry on essential numbers. Mobile phones in India, if I am not mistaken, ar mandated to have an emergency dial button. Find out about that.

Some emergency numbers in India:

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/educati.../1/629526.html

CaliNurse

Great information. Thank you, theloststory!! Totally agree about the people--it's the main reason I keep returning!