Context:
Recently, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, announced the launch of the nationwide cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims.
More on the News
- The scheme builds on a pilot project launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in March 2024, in Chandigarh, which was later expanded to 6 other States/UTs including Assam, Punjab, Haryana, and Puducherry.
- The pilot project was aimed at establishing a framework for providing timely medical care to the victims of road accidents, especially during the critical “golden hour” after an incident.
- With the scheme now extended across the country, the government will come up with a modified scheme by March 2025 to improve emergency medical response and support accident recovery.
- Additionally, the government also launched the scheme for pan-India setup of Driver Training Institutes (DTI) which provides incentives for setting up DTIs and additional incentives for integrated infrastructure of Automated Testing Stations (ATSs) and DTIs.
Key Features of the Cashless Treatment Scheme
- Under the scheme, the government will cover treatment costs of up to ₹1.5 lahks for seven days, provided the police are informed about the accident within 24 hours.
- The scheme is applicable to all victims of road accidents, which involve a motor vehicle, that occurred on any category of road.
- The packages for trauma and polytrauma offered under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) will also be co-opted under the scheme.
- The National Health Authority (NHA) shall be the implementing agency for the programme, in coordination with police, hospitals and the State Health Agency.
- It is the apex body founded in 2019. It is responsible for implementing India’s flagship public health insurance/assurance scheme “Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana”.
- Additionally, an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh will be given to the families of victims who lose their lives in hit-and-run cases.
- The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways also launched the “Scheme for Good Samaritan”. Under it, a cash prize of ₹5000 for each incidence will be provided to the good samaritan who provides emergency aid and rushes to a hospital or trauma care centre within the Golden Hour of the accident to administer medical treatment and save the life of a victim.
Road Accident Statistics in India
- As per the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways around 1.80 lakh people lost their lives in road accidents in 2024, with 30,000 deaths attributed to not wearing helmets.
- 66% of these accidents involved people between the ages of 18 to 34.
- Around 10,000 children in road accidents caused by inadequate arrangements at entry and exit points near educational institutions.
Government Measures for Road Safety
- Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019: It increased penalties for violations and introduced provisions for road safety, including fines for not wearing helmets and seat belts.
- Electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) portal: It established a central repository for reporting, management, and analysis of road accident data across the country. It helps accelerate accident compensation claims, bringing relief to victims’ families.
- Good Samaritan Law: The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, inserted a new section 134A, named “Protection of good Samaritans” which provides that bystanders who help accident victims shall not be liable for any civil or criminal action for any injury to or death of the victim of an accident, encouraging quicker assistance to victims.
- National Road Safety Policy 2010: It outlines the policy initiatives to be framed/taken by the Government at all levels to improve road safety activities in the country.