Harare (New Ziana) – Road traffic accidents contribute significantly to the number of disability cases in the country, hence there is need to set up a fund modelled along the lines of the Aids Levy, where motorists would contribute money to go towards the welfare of accident victims, an official has said.
Barbra Nyangairi, director of Deaf Zimbabwe Trust, told New Ziana that road traffic accidents had become a major cause of disability, yet there was no framework to compensate victims.
She suggested establishment of a fund like the Aids levy where part of the motor vehicle insurance goes to Government for the treatment and rehabilitation of accident victims.
“Car accidents have been the largest cause of disability, especially acquired disability in our country, yet there does not seem to be a framework for people who are taking motor vehicle insurance to contribute to the disability and rehabilitation process after those accidents happen,” said Nyangairi.
Instead, she said, the heavy burden of taking care of injured road accident victims falls on their families and Government.
“While it is important for us to insure our motor vehicles, but human beings are more important functionalities, so I think the burden of rehabilitation should not just fall on Government and families alone, but those that are taking motor vehicle insurance should contribute a percentage of the motor vehicle insurance to Government for health and rehabilitation services,” she said.
Makoni Central Member of Parliament, David Tekeshealso raised the same issue this week in Parliament when he asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona what government policy was regarding compensation for accident victims.
In response Mhona, noting government concern over increasing loss of lives on the roads, said there was need to move with speed on the promulgation of the Road Accident Fund.
“I want to agree that as a country, we are highly rated in terms of carnage that we witness on our roads which must not continue and which calls for a holistic approach as a citizenry,” he said.
He said that most of the accidents were attributed to human error, and vehicle defects, especially the former.
Mhona said his Ministry will be convening a stakeholder platform to deliberate on the issue in an effort to mitigate the carnage being witnessed on the roads.
“I want to say to the Hon. Member and to the August House that indeed, Road Accident Fund is something that we are also seeking concurrence from the respected August House so that we have (it) in place,” Mhona said.
New Ziana
