Bystanders Turn Guardian Angels in Road Accidents: Over 1,500 Lives Saved in 5 Years.

Anil Singh Chauhan

New Delhi, October 10.

By acting swiftly during the critical initial period following a road accident—known as the ‘Golden Hour’—ordinary citizens continue to set inspiring examples. According to recent data from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, bystanders have saved over 1,500 lives over the past five years (October 2021 to October 2026) by rushing accident victims to hospitals in time. Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the top-performing state nationwide in this humanitarian initiative to provide immediate aid to the injured, while Madhya Pradesh secured the second spot.

Under the ministry’s ‘Rah-Veer’ (Good Samaritan) scheme, citizens who render timely assistance are financially rewarded. Over the past five years, central and state governments have distributed over 2.50 crore in financial incentives alongside certificates of appreciation to such helpful citizens. According to ministry officials, the incentive was initially 5,000 per victim saved, which was revised and increased to 25,000 in 2025.
Data analysis reveals that local villagers, commuters, and highway eatery (dhabas) operators along major routes in Uttar Pradesh—such as the Yamuna, Purvanchal, and Agra-Lucknow Expressways—played the most active roles during accidents. Prompt action by bystanders in the state helped save more than 650 to 700 lives over the last five years. Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, strong coordination between the 108 ambulance network and local citizens along major highway corridors like Indore, Bhopal, and Gwalior ensured that over 450 to 500 critically injured individuals reached trauma centers in time. The government reaffirmed that Good Samaritans enjoy full legal protection under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles Act, ensuring they face no harassment from police or legal proceedings.
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Rewards Available Up to 5 Times a Year, Yet Over 80% Do Not Apply
Under the ‘Rah-Veer’ scheme, a citizen is eligible for incentives for helping in up to 5 accidents per year, allowing an individual to receive up to 1.25 lakh annually. Additionally, the ministry selects 10 outstanding Good Samaritans nationwide every year for a special national award of 1 lakh each. However, due to lingering fears of legal complications and a lack of awareness about the administrative process, more than 80 percent of people who assist accident victims still do not apply for the reward.
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