MoRTH explains Rah-Veer protections under the Good Samaritan Rules
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways highlighted on 4 January 2026 the legal protections for 'Rah-Veers' — Good Samaritans who help road accident victims — under rules notified in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Summary
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on 4 January 2026 publicised the protections available to Rah-Veers, people who help road accident victims reach hospital, especially in the 'Golden Hour', defined in law as the first hour after a serious injury. The Good Samaritan Rules were notified in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019. A Rah-Veer cannot be forced into legal hassles, compelled to reveal personal details or detained unnecessarily, and need not share personal details unless choosing to be a witness.
Key facts
- Rah-Veer
- A Good Samaritan who helps a road accident victim
- Rules
- Good Samaritan Rules, notified 2020
- Legal basis
- Section 134A, Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019
- Golden Hour
- First hour after a serious injury
- Protections
- No legal harassment, no forced disclosure, no unnecessary detention; can stay anonymous
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The Good Samaritan Rules, which protect 'Rah-Veers' who help road accident victims, were notified in 2020 under which section of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Section 134A
PIB (MoRTH): the Good Samaritan Rules were notified in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
In the context of road accidents, the 'Golden Hour' referred to in MoRTH's Rah-Veer explainer (January 2026) means:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — The first hour after a serious injury
PIB (MoRTH): the law defines the Golden Hour as the first hour after a serious injury, the most critical time for medical intervention.