Good Samaritan Protection

Why bystanders in India hesitated to help accident victims for fear of police and legal trouble, and how the 2016 guidelines and 2019 law protect Good Samaritans.

Bystanders often hesitated to help accident victims.

Why

Fear of police questioning.
Fear of being asked to pay or appear in court.
Hospitals refusing to treat without police formalities.

SaveLIFE Foundation

The SaveLIFE Foundation campaigned for legal protection.

Supreme Court

In 2016, the Supreme Court approved Good Samaritan guidelines.

Law

The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 protects Good Samaritans from civil and criminal liability.

Rewards

The government offers cash rewards to people who take victims to hospital within the golden hour.

Economics

Removing costs of helping encourages bystanders to act.

The passer-by

A passer-by takes an injured cyclist to hospital, knowing the law protects him.

Thinking helping victims brings legal trouble

Good Samaritans are protected.

Key takeaways

Bystanders feared legal trouble.
2016 guidelines protected helpers.
The 2019 law added protection.
Rewards encourage help.