NEW DELHI: The government is set to introduce a new initiative offering free and cashless medical assistance for victims of road accidents within the next three to four months. Anurag Jain, the Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, revealed that this initiative aims to provide immediate access to cashless trauma care treatment at the nearest suitable hospital across the nation, aligning with a Supreme Court mandate.

"This move is a crucial part of the amended Motor Vehicle Act 2019 (MVA2019), and while some states have already adopted it, we plan to implement it nationwide in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare," stated Anurag Jain, emphasizing the urgency of this nationwide rollout.

The initiative is specifically designed to ensure that accident victims receive cashless medical care, including during the critical 'golden hour' defined by the MV Amendment Act. The 'golden hour' refers to the crucial first hour post-accident where immediate medical attention significantly impacts survival rates.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Jain pointed out that India has the highest number of road accident fatalities globally. To address this, the Union Ministry of Education has agreed to incorporate road safety into school and college curricula, aiming to raise awareness and education on this critical issue.

Jain also emphasized the importance of vehicular engineering improvements, citing measures such as seat belt reminders and the introduction of Bharat NCAP.

Additionally, the Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) President, Rohit Baluja, revealed that global road safety experts attending the event will collaborate to develop safety protocols for driver certification, multi-disciplinary crash investigations, and enhancing the safety of vulnerable road users.

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