Reward People – Helping Road Accident Victims

The state transport department has decided to reward those who extend immediate help to road accident victims by taking them to the nearest hospital.

PATNA: The state transport department has decided to reward those who extend immediate help to road accident victims by taking them to the nearest hospital and sanctioned Rs 1 crore for its ‘Good Samaritan Scheme’ to be implemented in all the 38 districts of Bihar.

“The amount of Rs 1 crore has been distributed in all the 38 districts of the state. Each district administration is having around Rs 2 lakh as a deposit fund for rewarding the Good Samaritans under this scheme. After its utilization, more funds would be allocated to the districts,” state transport department secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal said.

Reward people for helping road accident victims

“Under this scheme, government will reimburse the money spent by the volunteer on taking the accident victim to the nearest hospital. Apart from the 100% reimbursement, the volunteer will get 10% of additional monetary reward on the claimed reimbursement. This will encourage more bystanders to become a Good Samaritan. We will also make sure that the examination of such a volunteer as a witness shall be done only on a single occasion and without any bureaucratic harassment. Besides, the administration will issue an appreciation certificate to recognize the noble work done by the volunteers in a district-wise felicitation ceremony,” Agarwal explained.

“The fear of getting embroiled in a police investigation and being subjected to legal procedure often deters bystanders from getting involved in the rescue of accident victims. This scheme will encourage people to help without the fear of any criminal or civil liability,” he said.

The move comes in the wake of a Supreme Court order passed in 2012. Followed by which the Union ministry of road transport and highways issued certain guidelines for this scheme. According to the guidelines, a Good Samaritan or bystander will not be subjected to any kind of questioning and will be able to leave the hospital immediately after bringing the patient, while eyewitnesses will only have to furnish their address to the police. The guidelines also exempt bystanders or Good Samaritans who inform the police or emergency services over telephone from compulsorily disclosing their names or furnishing personal details.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/govt-to-reward-people-for-helping-road-accident-victims/articleshow/64723817.cms