Context

• The Supreme Court directed the Centre to immediately frame a scheme for the cashless medical treatment of road accident victims during golden hour.
• “Cashless Treatment” Scheme for Road Victims
• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced the launch of the “Cashless Treatment” scheme to provide financial aid to road accident victims.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) launched a pilot project on the Cashless Treatment scheme in 2024.
• Cashless treatment has been provided under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (amended by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019).

What is the Golden hour?

• It is the 60 minutes following a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood of preventing death by providing prompt medical care.

Provisions of Scheme

• Government will cover treatment costs of up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days, provided the police are informed about the accident within 24 hours.
• Payment of ₹2 lakh for families of victims who lose their lives in hit-and-run cases.

Accidents related fatalities in India

• 1.8 lakh fatalities occurred due to road accidents last year, with 30,000 deaths attributed to not wearing helmets.
• 66% of accidents involved individuals aged between 18 and 34.
• Deaths of 10,000 children caused by poor safety measures near schools and colleges.

Good Samaritan Scheme

• Launched: 3rd Oct 2021 by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
• It grants an award to the good samaritan who has saved the life of a victim of a fatal accident by administering immediate assistance and rushing to Hospital/Trauma Care Centre within the Golden Hour of the accident.
• The amount would be ₹ 5,000/- per incident.
• The scheme will remain operational till 31st March 2026.

Hit and Run Laws

• Part of the Indian Justice Code (BNS)
• Introduced: December 2023
• Provides for stricter penalties on drivers involved in hit-and-run cases
• Section 106(2): Provides for a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine for drivers who leave the scene of an accident without reporting the accident to the nearest police station.
• Section 106(1): It provides for a minor punishment of up to 5 years imprisonment for drivers who report the accident to the police and admit their responsibility in respect of deaths caused by negligent driving.

Causes of road accidents:

• Violation of traffic rules
• Overspeeding
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving

Initiatives to address the issue of Road Safety: -

• Observance of National Road Safety Month/Week every year for spreading awareness.
• Setting up of Institutes of Driving Training & Research (IDTRs), Regional Driving Training Centres (RDTCs) and Driving Training Centres (DTCs) at state/district level.
• Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) Project to establish a central repository for reporting, management and analysis of road accidents.
• Provisions for ambulances with paramedical staff/Emergency Medical Technician/Nurse at toll plazas.
• Issued rules for Electronic Monitoring and Enforcement of Road Safety.