A Delhi-based taxi operator named Suraj Prakash Vaid has transported over 70 road accident victims to the hospital in the last 30 years. For his travails he has had to attend numerous court hearings as a witness.

On Friday, the Delhi Cabinet made a pioneering decision to assure a 2000 rupees reward to people who come to the aid of victims of road accidents by ensuring their timely admittance into a hospital. An appreciative certificate will also be given to recognise the efforts of the citizen.

The Union Road Transport Ministry has added a significant clause under which a Good Samaritan’s affidavit will have the legal force of a statement. If a statement is required, it should be recorded in a single examination. This is applicable only to those who want to be witnesses, for the guidelines say the police should not compel them to disclose their particulars or to be witnesses.

On the basis of a national study conducted by it, the foundation submits that three out of four people in India hesitated to come forward and help road accident victims, and that 88% of them had attributed this hesitation to fear of legal and procedural hassles. “These hassles include intimidation by police, unnecessary detention at hospitals and prolonged legal formalities,” it elaborates.

The Law Minister T B Jayachandra said that under the proposed legislation, Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for payment towards expenses incurred by Good Samaritans.

According to SLF, in 2015, about one and a half lakh people were killed and five lakh were injured as a result of road accidents. This number is not only the highest that India has ever recorded in history, but it represents a 53.9% increase over the last decade, and nearly a tenfold increase since 1970.

Initiatives and incentives like the ones offered by the governments of Karnataka and Delhi encourage people to do the right thing and extend help to road accident victims. These reforms are much appreciated and necessary in a bureaucracy like India where people are afraid of having to deal with authorities.

The Logical Indian has always been supportive of the efforts of SaveLIFE Foundation(SLF) and is extremely appreciative of the new move by the Delhi Government as well as the impending legislation by the Karnataka Government. You can read about our efforts on the issue here:

Afraid Of Police While Helping Road Accident Victims? Now, Don’t. SC Approves Good Samaritan Law

Also Read: Karnataka Leads, Becomes The First State In India To Come Up With The Good Samaritan Law