Good Samaritan Scheme

Good Samaritan Scheme

Context: India witnesses around 5 lakh road accidents and 1.5 lakh deaths from them every year. As per several government assessments and independent studies, a large number of deaths occur because the victims did not get medical help within the golden hour.

Objective of the scheme:

• It has been announced by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry so that taking a road crash victim to hospital is not just hassle-free but there is also the incentive of a reward and recognition.
• Historically, Indians are reluctant in taking victims to hospital because of associated legal processes and investigations that follow. To address that, the Centre inserted Section 134A in the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, which deals with “Protection of Good Samaritans”. It says that a Good Samaritan will not be liable for-
  • any civil or criminal action for any injury to or death of the victim of an accident involving a motor vehicle, where such injury or death resulted from the Good Samaritan’s negligence in acting or failing to act while rendering emergency medical or non-medical care or assistance etc.

About the scheme:

• The scheme entitles any person, who helps save a life by taking a road crash victim to the hospital, to a reward of Rs 5,000 per accident.
• Any individual who has saved the life of a victim of a fatal accident involving a motor vehicle by administering immediate assistance and rushing to hospital within the golden hour of the accident to provide medical treatment would be eligible for the award.
• An individual Good Samaritan can be awarded maximum five times in a year.
• Further, the “Good Samaritan” is free to not disclose their name to the hospital or law enforcement authorities; they can also choose not to take part in any legal process involving the accident.