Do’s & Don’ts of Being a Good Samaritan: What You Should Know about the Good Samaritan Rules (2020) under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act in India
To support and protect the Good Samaritans or Rah-Veers who step forward to help save a life during road accidents by helping an accident victim and rushing them to the nearest hospital, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) had notified the Good Samaritan Rules in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
As per this law, a Good Samaritan (Rah-veer) who helps an accident victim, cannot be forced into legal hassles, cannot be compelled to reveal personal details, or be detained unnecessarily.
Here's what you should know about it, with the do's and the don'ts of being a Rah-Veer or a Good Samaritan.
What is the Good Samaritan Law?
As per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, a Good Samaritan is a person who, in good faith, without expectation of payment or reward and without any duty of care or special relationship, voluntarily comes forward to administer immediate assistance or emergency care to a person injured in an accident, or crash, or emergency medical condition, or emergency situation.
The Good Samaritan Law allows a person, without expectation of payment or reward and without any duty of care or special relationship, voluntarily come forward to administer immediate assistance or emergency care to a person injured in an accident, or crash, or emergency medical condition.
Good Samaritan Law protects Good Samaritans from harassment on the actions being taken by them to save the life of the road accident victims.
As per to the Law Commission of India, 50% of the victims who had died of preventable injuries, could have been saved if they had received care on time. While role of the bystander is critical in providing emergency care to the accident victims, in India, bystanders are often hesitant to help the injured for fear of legal repercussions and procedural hassles.
As per MoRTH, three out of four people in India are hesitant to help injured accident victims on roads due to fear of police harassment, detention at hospitals, and prolonged legal formalities. Even when someone wants to help, these factors stop them from doing so.
In 2012, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court of India, requesting the Honorable court to safeguard Good Samaritans who come forward to help the injured.
To support and protect those who step forward to help accident victims in such moments, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified the Good Samaritan Rules in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
As per this law, a Good Samaritan (Rah-veer) who helps an accident victim cannot be forced into legal hassles, or be compelled to reveal personal details, or detained unnecessarily. Their willingness to help is respected and their dignity and privacy safeguarded.
During a road accident, every second matters, especially in the critical ‘Golden Hour’, which is the first 60 minutes after a severe injury, when timely help can save a life.
What is the Golden Hour?
The law defines the Golden Hour as the first hour after a serious injury, which is the most critical time for medical intervention. Quick help during this period can prevent lifelong disabilities, trauma and countless deaths.
To be a Rah-Veer you don’t need any medical training or any special equipment. Your willingness to act and take the injured to the nearest hospital can be the greatest help of all.
Being a Good Samaritan: Do’s & Don’ts
Here are the Do’s & Don’ts of being a Rah-Veer or Good Samaritan.
Do’s: Your Rights and Responsibilities
- Do help without fear: You are legally protected from civil or criminal liability when acting in good faith.
- Do know you can stay anonymous: You are not required to share personal details unless you choose to be a witness.
- Do allow only one police statement: If you volunteer as a witness, you may be examined once at a time and place convenient to you.
- Do request a hospital acknowledgement: You are entitled to a simple confirmation that you brought the victim for treatment.
Don’ts
- Don’t hesitate because of legal concerns: The system is designed to protect Rah-Veers.
- Don’t feel obligated to remain at the hospital: Once the patient is admitted, you are free to leave.
- Don’t pay for treatment: Hospitals cannot demand payment from you for emergency care.
- Don’t feel forced to file an FIR or give evidence: Becoming a witness is your personal choice.
- Don’t reveal personal details if you prefer anonymity: It is your right.
- Don’t allow detention by authorities: It is not permitted.
Rah-Veer Scheme : Recognition and Financial Support for Rah-Veers
The ‘Rah-Veer’ (Good Samaritan) Scheme also offers financial recognition and celebrates such individuals as real-life heroes who chose compassion over hesitation.
Under the scheme, anyone who helps an accident victim receive medical attention within the Golden Hour is eligible for a ₹25,000 reward and a Certificate of Appreciation, with recognition available up to five times a year for repeat acts of bravery.
Eligibility for Recognition and Financial Support
Any individual who has saved life of a victim of a serious accident involving a motorvehicle by administering immediate assistance and rushing to Hospital within the Golden Hour of the accident to provide medical treatment.
Definition of Golden Hour
As per Motor Vehicle Act section 2(12A) "golden hour" means the time period lasting one hour following a traumatic injury during which there is highest likelihood of preventing death by providing prompt medical care.
Definition of Serious Accident
Any Road accident involving motor vehicle leading to any of the following conditions during treatment to victim and certificate of fatality/seriousness by Hospital:
- Major surgery involved
- Minimum three day of hospitalisation
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Death of the victim during treatment
Financial Assistance (in the form of Award)
The amount of award for each Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) would be Rs. 25,000/- per incident, subject to the following provisions:
- If one Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) saves life of one or more victims of a single serious accident involving a motor vehicle, amount of award will be Rs. 25,000/- only.
- If more than one Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) save life of one victim of a serious accident involving a motor vehicle, amount of award i.e. Rs. 25,000/- will be divided equally among them
As per MoRTH's Rah-Veer Scheme Guidelines dated 21st April, 2025, this reward scheme will remain operational till the completion of the 15th Financial Cycle, i.e. till 31st March, 2026. However, as per news reports, the Rah-Veer reward scheme will be continued.
With the Rah-Veer scheme, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways aims to inspire confidence, reassurance, and a culture where helping others on the road becomes a shared responsibility and a source of pride for the nation, and calls it a movement of courage, empathy, and collective responsibility.
Note that irrespective of whether one goes to claim the reward or recognition scheme, the Good Samaritan law will still hold, and irrespective of whether you choose to claim recognition or financial support for being a Rah-Veer, being a Rah-Veer or a Good Samaritan is a part of responsible travel.
You may also note the 24x7 Helpline numbers useful for tourists and travellers in India, which may be helpful in case of such situations.
- Rah-Veer: Save a Life Without Fear - Good Samaritan Protections Ensure You Don’t Need to Worry About Anything - Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, on PIB. Posted On: 04 JAN 2026 2:17PM by PIB Delhi. Retrieved on 9 January 2026.
- Good Samaritan - Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India. Retrieved on 9 January 2026.
- Scheme Guidelines on Rah-Veer - Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Govt. of India. Date: 21st April, 2025. Retrieved on 9 January 2026.
- Road accident victims to soon get Rs 1.5 lakh cashless treatment under new healthcare scheme - The Financial Express. By FE News Desk. Updated: January 9, 2026 08:19 IST. Retrieved on 9 January 2026.