Good Samaritans to Receive Rs 25,000 Reward for Assisting Accident Victims

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced a significant revision in the reward for Good Samaritans who assist road accident victims. The government has increased the incentive from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000, emphasizing the need for timely intervention during the critical ‘Golden Hour’—the first hour after an accident, which is crucial for saving lives. This announcement was made during a road safety program in Nagpur, where actor Anupam Kher also participated.

The revised scheme applies across national and state highways, as well as roads in cities, districts, and Gram Panchayats. Gadkari underscored the inadequacy of the previous reward in recognizing the risks and efforts involved in helping accident victims, particularly in transporting them to trauma centers or hospitals.

Introduced in October 2021, the Good Samaritan scheme is designed to foster a culture of aid by encouraging bystanders to assist accident victims without fear of legal or procedural repercussions. To further support this initiative, the government will also cover hospital expenses of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the first seven days of treatment for injured individuals.

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by sobering statistics: road crashes claimed approximately 15.3 lakh lives in India between 2014 and 2023. A Good Samaritan, as defined by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is any individual who, in good faith and without expecting any payment, voluntarily provides immediate assistance or emergency care to accident victims or those in critical situations.

This move is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve road safety, save lives, and instill a sense of responsibility and compassion among citizens.