New Delhi, Jan 5: Reinforcing the message that no one should hesitate to help an accident victim, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has reiterated the legal safeguards available to Good Samaritans, known as Rah-Veers, who come forward to save lives during road accidents.
The Good Samaritan Rules, notified in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, are aimed at protecting citizens who assist injured persons during the crucial “Golden Hour”.
The Golden Hour – the first hour following a serious injury – is considered the most critical period for medical intervention. Timely assistance during this window can significantly reduce fatalities, lifelong disabilities, and trauma.
The ministry stressed that becoming a Rah-Veer does not require medical training or special equipment; often, the willingness to act is enough to make the difference between life and death.
Under the rules, a Good Samaritan cannot be compelled to disclose personal details, forced to file an FIR, detained by authorities or subjected to repeated questioning.
Hospitals are prohibited from demanding payment from Rah-Veers for emergency treatment provided to accident victims, and helpers are free to leave once the injured person is admitted.
Those who choose to act as witnesses can give a single statement at a time and place convenient to them, while anonymity remains a protected right.
Despite improvements in road infrastructure, India continues to record one of the highest numbers of road accidents globally.
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has previously noted that road accidents impose a heavy economic burden, costing the country nearly 3 percent of its GDP, as highlighted in an IIT Delhi report.
Fear of legal and procedural complications among bystanders often delays assistance, leading to avoidable deaths during the Golden Hour.
To encourage proactive intervention, the Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) Scheme also provides financial recognition.
Individuals who help accident victims receive medical care within the Golden Hour are eligible for a reward of Rs 25,000 along with a Certificate of Appreciation, with recognition available up to five times a year for repeated acts of bravery.
The ministry said the Rah-Veer initiative seeks to foster a culture of empathy and shared responsibility on Indian roads, reminding citizens that saving a life does not require professional expertise – only the courage to act.