Shocking new trend in road accident claims

THE Road Accident Fund (RAF) has issued a warning to motorists that a trend is emerging across the country, where pedestrians are throwing themselves in front of vehicles in a bid to lodge fraudulent claims with the RAF.

Pedestrians reportedly wait beside the road for a vehicle to pass slowly enough that the impact will not be fatal.

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“The RAF warns that they will not pay out fraudulent claims or claims that result from purposely involving oneself in a collision,” said MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert.

“While the RAF dissuades pedestrians from using the organisation as an income source, little is said to motorists about the consequences for them,” continued Herbert.

There is only really mention of motorists using dashcam footage to prove they were not at fault in a situation like this.

Even with a dashcam, the financial and emotional impact of colliding with a pedestrian cannot as easily be undone. It is better to avoid a situation like this altogether.

“Defensive driving is your main aid in trying to avoid impact with pedestrians,” said Herbert.

Defensive driving to avoid pedestrian collisions:
• Awareness: Stay aware of all cars, obstacles and people around you to reduce the chance of unwanted surprises
• Anticipation: Anticipate the actions of fellow road users and adjust your driving immediately. Pedestrians may hide at the roadside – pay extra attention to the shoulder and always be ready to take evasive action
• No speeding: While these individuals reportedly wait for vehicles to slow down, speeding reduces your response time should something unexpected happen
• Avoiding distractions: Always stay off your phone, no matter the circumstances. Do not do anything that takes your eyes off the road
• Following distance: A safe following distance gives you more time and space to see and react accordingly should someone step into the road

Additional tips to stay safe:
• Unless necessary, avoid driving at night
• Purchase a dashcam – these can be relatively inexpensive and could be worth the investment should something happen, and you face legal consequences
• Never drink and drive – even one drink leaves you in a precarious position in this scenario
• Ensure your vehicle maintenance is up to date. You need your lights, tyres and brakes to work properly, especially in an emergency
• Know how ABS works and what you should do should you have to undertake emergency braking

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