XN000022-1979-04-30 — Page 4

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MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1979

TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME STARTS TOMORROW

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THE GOVERNMENT'S NO FAULT+ ASSISTANCE SCHEME PROVIDING QUICK CASH RELIEF FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS COMES INTO OPERATION TOMORROW (TUESDAY).

THE NON-MEANS TESTED SCHEME WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS A WELFARE MEASURE TO HELP VICTIMS OR THE IR DEPENDANTS REGARDLESS OF WHO WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM TOMORROW AT THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SECTION OF EACH DISTRICT TRAFFIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS OR AT THE DEPARTMENT'S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS SECTION (TAVA SECTION).

HE SAID ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME CAN ALSO BE MADE AT THE TAVA SECTION ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE FIRE BRIGADE BUILDING AT 46 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL (TEL. NOS. 5-222392 AND 5-223254).

COPIES OF A BILINGUAL PAMPHLET EXPLAINING DETAILS OF THE SCHEME WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER THIS WEEK AT THE TAVA SECTION, THE THREE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SECTIONS OF THE POLICE, CITY DISTRICT OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES, CASUALTY WARDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT'S LICENSING OFFICES, DISTRICT COURTS AND MAGISTRACIES AND THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT NORMALLY, THE POLICE OFFICER INVESTIGATING THE ACCIDENT WILL EXPLAIN THE SCHEME TO THE VICTIM OR HIS NEXT OF KIN.

THE SCHEME, HE SAID, WILL APPLY TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH HAPPEN TOMORROW OR AFTER AND WHICH HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE POLICE.

IN ADDITION, HE ADDED, THE INJURIES SUSTAINED MUST HAVE CAUSED THE LOSS OF AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS' EARNING CAPACITY. APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT.

THE APPLICANT WILL BE INTERVIEWED BY TAVA STAFF TO ASSESS ELIGIBILITY AND THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENT, HE SAID.

HE SAID THE SCHEME WILL NOT AFFECT THE APPLICANT'S RIGHT TO CLAIM AGAINST ANY PERSON IN THE USUAL WAY IN RESPECT OF THE SAME ACCIDENT.

IF A VICTIM SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVES DAMAGES OR SOME OTHER FORM OF COMPENSATION, HE WILL BE REQUIRED TO REFUND THE SUMS PAID TO HIM INITIALLY UNDER THE SCHEME, HE SAID.

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