On the Allocation of Tort Liability for Harm Caused by “Good Intentions and Rides”

《中华人民共和国民法典》(以下简称民法典)第1217条对好意同乘有所规定，即“非营运机动车发生交通事故造成无偿搭乘人损害，属于该机动车一方责任的，应当减轻其赔偿责任，但是机动车使用人有故意或者重大过失的除外。”自该条款实施以来，在司法实践中因理解不同而引发诸多争议，作为一项条款，需要准确理解其内涵，厘清其责任以便于解释适用。通过对“好意同乘”相关制度内涵和“好意同乘”致害侵权行为无偿性和非契约性的特性进行界定，对“好意同乘”致害责任的司法现状及产生的问题进行分析，从而对“好意同乘”的规则、无偿认定以及适用规则等提出完善建议。Article 1217 of the Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the Civil Code) stipulates provisions regarding good Samaritan carpooling that “if a traffic accident involving a non-commercial motor vehicle causes damage to a passenger without compensation, and it is the responsibility of the motor vehicle, its liability for compensation shall be reduced, except where the user of the motor vehicle is intentional or grossly negligent.” Since the implementation of this provision, many controversies have arisen in judicial practice due to different interpretations, and as a clause, it is necessary to accurately understand its connotation and clarify its responsibilities so as to facilitate its interpretation and application. By defining the connotation of the relevant system of “good intentions and rides” and the gratuitous and non-contractual characteristics of the tort of “good intentions and rides”, this paper analyzes the judicial status and problems arising from the liability of “good intentions and rides”, so as to put forward suggestions for improving the rules, gratuitous determination and applicable rules of “good intentions and rides”.