The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has taken a significant step towards promoting road safety and acknowledging the invaluable contributions of individuals in saving lives during emergencies by launching the “Scheme for grant of Award to the Good Samaritan.” This initiative, initiated on October 3, 2021, aims to incentivize and recognize the efforts of Good Samaritans who provide immediate assistance and rush victims of fatal road accidents to hospitals within the crucial Golden Hour, potentially saving lives in the process.
Changes in the Scheme
The scheme has undergone revisions to enhance its effectiveness in motivating the general public to extend assistance to victims of road accidents. Under the revised guidelines, any individual who saves a victim’s life is eligible for an award of Rs. 5,000 per incident. Notably, an individual Good Samaritan can receive awards for a maximum of five incidents in a year, emphasizing the scheme’s commitment to rewarding consistent acts of kindness and prompt intervention in emergencies.
About the Scheme
The primary objective of the scheme is to create awareness and inspire people to actively participate in providing emergency assistance to road accident victims. By emphasizing the importance of administering timely medical aid and ensuring victims receive proper medical attention within the critical first hour following an accident, the scheme seeks to reduce fatalities and mitigate the socio-economic costs associated with road accidents. Furthermore, it aims to foster a culture of empathy and civic responsibility, encouraging more individuals to intervene and help accident victims in distress, thereby contributing to overall road safety.
Benefits of the Scheme
The scheme provides tangible recognition and financial rewards to Good Samaritans for their selfless acts of kindness in saving lives during road accidents. By incentivizing immediate assistance and prompt medical care, the scheme contributes to reducing fatalities and mitigating the socio-economic costs associated with road accidents. Furthermore, it promotes a culture of empathy and civic responsibility, encouraging more individuals to intervene and help accident victims in distress, thereby fostering a safer road environment and minimizing the impact of accidents on individuals and society as a whole.
Data Insights
– The award amount for Good Samaritans under the scheme is set at Rs. 5,000/- per incident, aiming to recognize and incentivize immediate assistance provided to victims of fatal accidents.
– The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will provide an initial grant of Rs. 5 lakhs to the Transport Department of the respective State/UT to facilitate the payment to Good Samaritans.
– MoRTH has established an Appraisal Committee responsible for reviewing proposals received from States/UTs and selecting the top ten Good Samaritans annually. Each selected individual will receive an award of Rs. 1,00,000/- along with a certificate and trophy during the National Road Safety Month in Delhi.
– In 2021, the total number of road accident fatalities in India was reported to be 153,972, with 172,278 individuals severely injured, highlighting the urgent need for effective road safety measures and interventions.
The data mentioned in the above article is taken from Ministry of Road Tranport and Highways as on Feb 2022
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