University Grants Commission raises awareness on Good Samaritan Law

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken a considerate initiative. It has issued a notification to raise awareness about the Good Samaritan law. It has urged the higher education institutions to spread messages among students, the faculty and also the local communities.

The effort focuses on encouraging bystanders to assist the accident victims without fear or legal repercussions. The notification laid emphasised on a crucial study, which revealed more than 50% victims lose their lives due to lack of timely medical intervention during the golden hour. It is the first hour after a traumatic injury. Immediate first aid significantly increases survival rates and also reduces injury severity.  

The notification stated, "Loss of precious lives in tragic road accidents, particularly because of the victims not getting timely medical care is heart-wrenching. Equally disheartening is the fact that bystanders witnessing such accidents often choose to remain silent instead of taking action to save a human life."

What is THE GOOD SAMARITAN LAW?

It is an effort to deal with this public indifference. The Ministry of Transport and Highways issued guidelines in the year 2016, under the Supreme Court’s direction, which formed the basis of Good Samaritan Law.

It is the law that protects those who voluntarily assist accident victims from police and legal harassment. It is to ensure that they are not held liable for their good deeds.

As per the UGC, a Good Samaritan can be defined as a "a person who, in good faith, without expectation of payment or reward and without any duty of care or special relationship, voluntarily comes forward to administer immediate assistance or emergency care to a person injured in an accident or emergency situation."

The Campaign of UGC is to spread awareness among the students, the faculty and the local communities to help the accident victims without any second thoughts , without the fear they’ll have repercussions. To create a culture of compassion, to ensure more lives can be saved in critical moment. A gesture of help can help save someone’s life.