Good Samaritans helping accident victims to get Rs 25,000 reward: Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced a substantial increase in the reward for individuals who assist road accident victims. The government plans to raise incentives for Good Samaritans from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000, marking a fivefold increase aimed at encouraging bystanders to step up during emergencies. The announcement was made at a road safety program held in Nagpur, attended by actor Anupam Kher.

This revision applies to national and state highways, as well as roads in cities, districts, and Gram Panchayats. Gadkari highlighted the importance of immediate assistance during the "Golden Hour," the crucial first hour after an accident, in saving lives. He noted that the previous reward was inadequate given the risks and efforts involved in transporting victims to trauma centers or hospitals.


The Good Samaritan scheme, introduced in October 2021, aims to foster a culture of helping accident victims without fear of legal or procedural complications. The government also plans to cover hospital expenses of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the first seven days of treatment for injured individuals.

Between 2014-2023, road crashes have claimed approximately 15.3 lakh lives in India. As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, a "Good Samaritan" is someone who, acting in good faith and without expecting any payment or reward, voluntarily steps forward to provide immediate assistance or emergency care to an individual injured in an accident, crash, medical emergency, or other critical situations, without any obligation or prior relationship.

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