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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1978
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME
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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED THE SETTING UP OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL HELP TO ALL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS, OR THEIR DEPENDENTS.
AT THE SAME TIME A BILL SEEKING TO ESTABLISH A FUND FROM WHICH MONEY CAN BE PAID TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS UNDER THE SCHEME AND TO IMPOSE LEVIES ON VEHICLES AND DRIVING LICENCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE FUND WAS ALSO INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THE LEVIES WILL INITIALLY BE $25 PER ANNUM ON A DRIVING LICENCE AND $75 PER ANNUM ON A VEHICLE LICENCE.
INTRODUCING THE PROPOSAL INTO THE COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES, SAID PAYMENTS UNDER THE SCHEME WOULD BE MADE REGARDLESS OF WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT.
+THE ONLY LIMITATIONS ARE THAT THE ACCIDENT MUST HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE, THAT THE INJURIES SUSTAINED ARE SUFFICIENTLY GRAVE TO CAUSE LOSS OF AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS' EARNING CAPACITY AND THAT THE CLAIM SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT. THESE ARE OBVIOUS PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FRAUDULENT OR TRIVIAL CLAIMS,+ MR. JONES SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE SCHEME WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, AND CONSIDERATION WAS ALSO BEING GIVEN TO THE SETTING UP OF AN ADVISORY BOARD TO ASSIST HIM IN DISCHARGING THIS FUNCTION.
*THOSE WHO WISH TO CLAIM UNDER THE SCHEME WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE AN APPLICATION, BUT THE POLICE OFFICER INVESTIGATING A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THOSE ELIGIBLE ARE INFORMED ABOUT THE SCHEME.
+PROCEDURES ARE PROVIDED FOR SUCH THINGS AS CHECKING MEDICAL EVIDENCE OF INJURY AND PROVIDING DISSATISFIED APPLICANTS WITH A MEANS OF APPEAL,+ MR. JONES SAID.
+ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THOSE BENEFICIARIES WHO SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVE DAMAGES OR OTHER COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE SAME ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE REPAYMENTS TO THE FUND, HE ADDED.
MR. JONES SAID THAT ONCE THE FUND IS ESTABLISHED IT WAS HOPED THAT PAYMENTS FROM IT COULD START TO BE MADE TO VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS OCCURRING ON OR AFTER MAY 1 NEXT YEAR.
HE ADDED THAT HE HOPED THE SCHEME WOULD BE WELCOMED BY THE PUBLIC AT LARGE BECAUSE IT WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MODEST, BUT EARLY RELIEF TO EASE THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
/CONCERNING.....