Youth Made Up 44% of Claims with the Road Accident Fund from 2020 to 2022
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GUEST – McIntosh Polela – Road Accident Fund spokesperson
Yesterday was the last day of Youth Month. As we navigate the remainder of the year, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) hereby reminds young people that road safety rules should be adhered to throughout the year. Claims by young people accounted for a staggering 44% of those lodged from 2020 to 2022. This figure is a startling reminder that the youth will have to change their behaviour when utilising the roads.
During the same period, the RAF paid a total of R43.13 billion for injury benefits to young accident survivors between the ages of 15 and 34. That is an average of R14.37 billion per year. Additionally, a total of R2.86 billion was paid over the same period for death related benefits, at an average of R956 million per year. The youth, often characterised by high levels of mobility and risk-taking behaviour, are unfortunately overly represented in road accident statistics. The RAF observed that the average number of youth related claims registered per year across the three-year period was 21,475. The average amount per youth related claim was R2,568,595 over the same period. Furthermore, 63% of claims registered over this period were for males, 36% were for females, and 1% unknown.
Yesterday was the last day of Youth Month. As we navigate the remainder of the year, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) hereby reminds young people that road safety rules should be adhered to throughout the year. Claims by young people accounted for a staggering 44% of those lodged from 2020 to 2022. This figure is a startling reminder that the youth will have to change their behaviour when utilising the roads.
During the same period, the RAF paid a total of R43.13 billion for injury benefits to young accident survivors between the ages of 15 and 34. That is an average of R14.37 billion per year. Additionally, a total of R2.86 billion was paid over the same period for death related benefits, at an average of R956 million per year. The youth, often characterised by high levels of mobility and risk-taking behaviour, are unfortunately overly represented in road accident statistics. The RAF observed that the average number of youth related claims registered per year across the three-year period was 21,475. The average amount per youth related claim was R2,568,595 over the same period. Furthermore, 63% of claims registered over this period were for males, 36% were for females, and 1% unknown.