Millions paid out for crashesThe MVA Fund has urged drivers to be vigilant and careful as the festive season approaches. Mass casualties and crash injuries costing MVA Fund Since the beginning of this year 16 mass casualties have been reported on Namibia''s roads resulting in 96 deaths while 95 people were also injured in these crashes. The deaths that were recorded represent 17% of the year-to-date fatalities in the country and means that ten people lost their lives every month in mass casualty crashes.
These shocking statistics were released in a statement by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund) in which it expressed concern about the continuous loss of life on the country''s roads and cautioned road users to be more vigilant, especially with the approaching festive season.
This followed after yet another mass casualty was reported just after midnight on Tuesday on the Windhoek/Rehoboth road in which six people died and 18 others were injured. According to the statement, since the beginning of this year the MVA Fund would have paid out N$672 000 for funeral grants for the 96 people that have died in mass casualties. This is calculated at N$7 000 per person.
It said that the Fund would also have paid out N$9.5 million for injury grants to the 95 people that were injured in mass casualties calculated on the basis of each person received the maximum amount of N$100 000 per person.
Furthermore for medical grants the Fund would have paid those injured N$142.5 billion if each person received the maximum amount of N$1.5 million.
According to the statement it would also have paid loss of income grants for a total number of 131 people between the ages of 16 and 60 years that were injured and deceased during these mass casualty accidents. The Fund would have paid an amount to N$13.1 million if each person received N$100 000.
Loss of income may be claimed by a person injured in a road crash and therefore not able to work or by the dependant of the deceased if the person was working or had an income before passing on.
It also says that the loss of support grant will amount to N$13.1 million if each family received N$100 000 per annum. It said that many households are continuing to lose breadwinners while children are left orphaned and destitute with no love and care. “The MVA Fund therefore by law, carries these families through their agony and disburses millions of dollars in funeral, injury, medical, loss-of-income and loss-of-support grants.”
The Fund said it relates to the hardship and suffering associated with these incidents and therefore requests the families of the deceased to contact the nearest MVA Fund Service Centre for relevant claims.
ELLANIE SMIT