Good Samaritan Scheme: UPSC Daily Important Topic | 30 November 2021

Good Samaritan Scheme

• The Road Transport and Highways Ministry announced this scheme 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”.

Need for such scheme

• 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.

Key features of the scheme

• Non-liability: Under the scheme, 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.

• Reward: The scheme entitles any person, who helps save a life by taking a road crash victim to the hospital during golden hour, to a reward of Rs 5,000 per accident.

• Anonymity clause: The new law is that 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.