Duty to Assist and Report Accidents
If you are involved in or witness a serious accident, the law requires you to help and report.
Drivers who cause an accident must stop, assist the injured, and report to police. The Good Samaritan Law protects bystanders who help accident victims from police harassment.
Penalty Under Law
Failure to report after causing an accident: Sec. 134, ₹500 + 3 months imprisonment.
Legal Source
MV Act Sec. 134; Good Samaritan Law Sec. 134A (added 2019)
What the Law Says
Section 134 MV Act: A driver involved in an accident causing injury or death must (a) take reasonable steps to secure medical assistance for the injured, (b) report the accident to the nearest police station within 24 hours. Section 134A: A Good Samaritan who voluntarily helps an accident victim in good faith shall not be held liable criminally or civilly for any injury resulting from such assistance. Their identity shall be kept confidential by police.
💡 Why This Rule Exists
India has a serious bystander problem — witnesses and passers-by hesitate to help accident victims fearing police questioning, lengthy court appearances, and harassment. This causes deaths that could be prevented by prompt transport to hospital. The Good Samaritan Law was introduced after years of advocacy to protect helpers legally, addressing the "30-minute window" during which head injury victims can be saved if given treatment.
Key Facts
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Call 112 (national emergency) immediately at any serious accident.
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Highway emergency: 1033 (NHAI helpline).
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You cannot be detained by police merely for helping an accident victim (Good Samaritan protection).
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Your identity can be kept confidential if you are a Good Samaritan witness.
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Fleeing the scene of an accident you caused (hit-and-run) is a separate serious offence.
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Good Samaritan protection is specifically for those rendering assistance — not for those who caused the accident.
⚠️ Common Violations
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Hit-and-run: fleeing the scene of an accident.
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Bystanders watching but not calling for help.
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Witnesses refusing to give police information out of fear of court appearances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for duty to assist and report accidents?
What does the law say about duty to assist and report accidents?
Why does duty to assist and report accidents matter?
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More Rules of the Road Rules
Always Drive on the Left Side of the Road
All vehicles in India must travel on the left side of the road. Wrong-side driving is a leading cause of head-on collision deaths.
₹500 – first offence
Lane Discipline and Lane Markings
Lane markings are legally binding instructions. A solid yellow centre line means no overtaking. A broken white line permits lane changes when safe.
₹500 under Sec
Rules for Overtaking (Passing) Vehicles
You may overtake only from the right, only when the road ahead is clear, and never in prohibited zones. The vehicle being overtaken must make way.
Illegal overtaking: ₹500 (Sec
Mandatory Use of Indicators and Hand Signals
Every driver must signal their intention to turn, change lanes, or stop — using indicators or prescribed hand signals. Failing to signal before a manoeuvre is a legal violation.
₹500 under Sec