MEDIA RELEASE
SPEEDING CONTINUES TO KILL
The Accident Compensation Commission of Fiji (ACCF) held its fifth Board meeting on Monday, 31st October 2022. As part of his operational update, the ACCF CEO, Parvez Akbar informed the Board that speeding continues to be the number one cause of fatalities from motor vehicle accidents, followed by dangerous driving and drunk driving. To date we have lost 34 lives on our roads compared to 15 for the same period last year. Most of these deaths could have been avoided if drivers were not driving at an excessive speed.
With the festive season fast approaching, Mr Akbar urges drivers to exercise care whilst driving. There are a number of causes of motor vehicle accidents, however, whatever causes an accident, the outcome depends on speed. Driving within the speed limit and to the conditions reduces death and serious injury on our roads.
Mr Akbar offers the following speed-related safety tips:
- Never drive in excess of the speed limit.
- Ensure your speed is safe for the road conditions (for example, slow down if the road is winding, bumpy, narrow, or wet).
- Ensure you can stop suddenly if required.
- Never speed up to prevent vehicles from overtaking you.
Pedestrians are also encouraged to be vigilant when walking on the road.
ACCF encourages anyone who is seriously injured from a motor vehicle accident or has lost a loved one from a motor vehicle accident to contact ACCF in respect of any entitlement to compensation. The team can be contacted on 8923770 or
info@accf.com.fj
The ACCF Board noted that a total of
$37,823,000.00 in compensation has been paid since 01
st January 2018, of which $26,000,000.00 was for motor vehicle accidents, $11,064,000.00 for employment accidents and $759,000.00 for school accidents.