Rights of a Good Samaritan

A Good Samaritan is a bystander who takes the accident victim to the nearest hospital or helps the victim by informing police or medical emergency.

To offer protection to the Good Samaritan, provisions have been laid in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019 under section 134A. In addition, they have been covered under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 which provide detailed guidelines for protection and examination of a Good Samaritan by the police. These rules are prescribed under section 168 – Rights of Good Samaritan and 169 – Examination of Good Samaritan which are described in Chapter IX of CMVR, 1989 titled Examination of Good Samaritan and Enquiry.

Rights of a Good Samaritan

A Good Samaritan has the following rights:

• He shall not be liable for any civil or criminal liability.
• He shall be allowed to leave the hospital immediately.
• He shall not be forced to furnish his personal details.
• He shall not be compelled to deposit money for treatment of the victim.
• He shall be suitability rewarded to encourage other citizens.