Relevance for UPSC: GS II (Health, Governance), GS III (Road Safety, Transport); Source: The Hindu ; Supreme Court guidelines

Context

India records over 4.6 lakh road accidents and nearly 1.7 lakh deaths annually, making it the highest road fatality country in the world. 

To address preventable deaths caused by delayed emergency care, the Union Government is rolling out a nationwide cashless medical treatment scheme for road accident victims, based on the Golden Hour principle—the first 60 minutes after trauma, when timely care can significantly improve survival chances.

Key Features of the Scheme

  • Cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim for emergency care.
  • Applicable on all roads across India, including State and rural roads.
  • Funding mechanism:
    • Third-party motor insurance, where applicable.
    • Road Safety Fund for hit-and-run or uninsured cases.
  • Good Samaritan incentive:
    • ₹25,000 reward to one person who brings the victim to a hospital.
    • Reinforced by legal immunity from police questioning or court procedures.

Why the Scheme Matters (Evidence Base)

  • According to AIIMS and World Health Organization studies, timely Golden Hour intervention can reduce road fatalities by 25–30 percent.
  • Nearly 50 percent of road deaths occur due to delayed medical response, especially in semi-urban and rural areas.
  • Fear of legal harassment and treatment costs has historically discouraged bystanders from helping victims.

Pilot Experience

The scheme has been successfully piloted in Assam, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Puducherry, showing improved emergency response and hospital acceptance rates.

Legal and Policy Framework

  • Good Samaritan Guidelines (2016, Supreme Court) – legal protection to helpers.
  • Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 – road safety, insurance, compensation.
  • Road Safety Fund – financed through penalties and cess.
  • Article 21 – Right to life and timely medical care.
  • Sustainable Development Goal 3.6 – halve road traffic deaths by 2030.
UPSC Value Box

Key Facts (Prelims)
• Golden Hour: first 60 minutes after trauma
• India: ~1.7 lakh road deaths annually
• Fatality reduction potential: ~30 percent

Governance Angle
• Shift from post-accident compensation to preventive trauma care
• Encourages citizen participation and ethical bystander action

Conclusion

The scheme marks a paradigm shift in road safety governance, prioritising life-saving intervention over delayed compensation, and integrating health policy, transport regulation, and constitutional ethics to address one of India’s gravest public safety challenges.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims:

  1. The scheme is applicable only on national highways.
  2. The Road Safety Fund may be used when vehicles involved are uninsured.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (b)

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