Launched on 3rd October 2021 by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the Good Samaritan Scheme rewards individuals who save the life of a victim of a fatal motor vehicle accident by providing immediate assistance and transporting the victim to a hospital/trauma care centre within the Golden Hour. This initiative is designed to motivate the public to help road accident victims by ensuring that Good Samaritans face no additional hassles from the police or hospitals.
Benefits
- Per Incident Award:
A cash award of ₹5,000 is given per incident where a Good Samaritan saves the life of one or more accident victims. - Multiple Beneficiaries:
If multiple Good Samaritans save the life of one victim, the award is equally divided among them. - Per Victim Award:
If more than one Good Samaritan saves the lives of multiple victims, the award is ₹5,000 per victim, capped at ₹5,000 per Good Samaritan. - Certification:
Every cash award is accompanied by a “Certification of Appreciation.” - National Level Awards:
Ten National Level Awards of ₹1,00,000 each are given annually to the most exemplary Good Samaritans. - Award Frequency:
An individual Good Samaritan can be awarded up to a maximum of five times in a year.
Eligibility
- Immediate Assistance:
The Good Samaritan must have saved the life of a victim of a fatal motor vehicle accident by providing immediate assistance and ensuring the victim reaches a hospital/trauma care centre within the Golden Hour. - Disclosure:
Good Samaritans unwilling to disclose their details are not eligible.
Application Process
Offline
- Step 1:
If the incident is reported to the police directly by the Good Samaritan, the police, after verifying details with a doctor, issue an acknowledgment on an official letter pad. This acknowledgment includes the Good Samaritan’s name, mobile number, address, and details of the incident (place, date, time, and assistance provided). - Step 2:
If the Good Samaritan directly takes the victim to a hospital, the hospital provides the incident details to the concerned police station, which then issues an acknowledgment as described above. - Step 3:
The police send a copy of the acknowledgment (as per Annexure A) to the District Level Appraisal Committee, headed by the District Magistrate, with copies also sent to the Good Samaritan(s). - Step 4:
The District Level Appraisal Committee reviews and approves the proposals on a monthly basis. - Step 5:
The approved list is forwarded to the State/UT Transport Department’s Transport Commissioner for payment processing. - Step 6:
Payment is made online directly to the Good Samaritan’s bank account. - Step 7:
By a designated date each year (e.g., 30th September), the State Level Monitoring Committee nominates three top proposals for national-level awards. An Appraisal Committee at MoRTH then selects the best ten Good Samaritans annually for a National Level Award of ₹1,00,000 each, presented during the National Road Safety Month (NRSM) in Delhi.
Documents Required
- Identity Card
- Address Proof
- Bank Account Details
- Certification from the Police Department (as per Annexure A)
- Certification from the Hospital confirming treatment details
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is a Good Samaritan?
An individual who saves the life of a fatal accident victim by providing immediate assistance and ensuring the victim is taken to a hospital/trauma care centre within the Golden Hour. - What is Good Samaritan Law?
It is a legal provision that protects Good Samaritans from any further obligations by the police or hospitals after they have assisted accident victims. - Why is there a need for a Good Samaritan Law?
To encourage bystanders to help accident victims without fear of legal hassles or undue delays, thereby saving lives. - How did India get a Good Samaritan Law?
India enacted the Good Samaritan Law as part of broader road safety reforms, including amendments in the Motor Vehicles Act, 2019. - What is the award for each Good Samaritan?
₹5,000 per incident; if multiple Good Samaritans are involved, the award is divided equally. - Till when shall this scheme remain operational?
The scheme will remain operational until the completion of the 15th Financial Cycle, i.e., till 31st March 2026. - What is the objective of the Good Samaritan Scheme?
To motivate the public to help road accident victims in emergencies and to alleviate legal or procedural hurdles for those who assist. - Will the Good Samaritan be subjected to any further requirements by the police?
No, once a Good Samaritan reports an accident or takes the victim to a hospital, they are not required to fulfill any further conditions. - How many National Level Awards are granted each year for the most worthy Good Samaritans?
Ten National Level Awards are granted annually. - How many times can a Good Samaritan be awarded?
An individual can receive the award a maximum of five times per year. - Will the Good Samaritan receive a “Certification of Appreciation”?
Yes, every cash award comes with a “Certification of Appreciation.” - What if more than one Good Samaritan saves the life of more than one victim?
The award is ₹5,000 per victim saved, subject to a maximum of ₹5,000 per Good Samaritan.