Pedestrians running in front of cars to claim from RAF - here’s how drivers can safeguard themselves

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is attempting to draw a line in the sand when it comes to fraudulent claims, stating that the entity will not compensate a person who deliberately causes a vehicle accident, even if that person is seriously injured.

This comes amid a trend in which people are allegedly jumping in front of slow moving vehicles in order to claim from the fund. 

“Apparently, such people wait for the vehicles to slow down enough that they don’t get killed on impact before throwing themselves. This behaviour is dangerous and adds unnecessary pressure on the Fund which must assess and investigate claims of rightful claimants efficiently,” the RAF said in a statement.

It said that respective degrees of fault, blame or negligence, amongst other things, must be determined upon receiving a claim.

The RAF said it declined 49,631 claims between the 2021/22 and 2023/24 financial years, which included fraudulent claims, injuries deemed too minor and instances where a claimant was solely responsible for causing the road crash.

Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, says the latest trend of staged pedestrian crashes also underscores the importance of driving defensively, especially given the financial and emotional impact that pedestrian crashes can have on motorists that strike pedestrians.

He urges motorists to always be aware of all cars, obstacles and people surrounding them and anticipating the actions of others.

“Pedestrians with nefarious motives may hide on the roadside making it necessary to pay extra attention to the shoulder and always be ready to take evasive action,” Herbert said.

MasterDrive also advises avoiding distractions and keeping a safe following distance in order to increase visibility. Also ensure you’re familiar with how ABS braking works and how to execute an emergency stop effectively.

This trend is also another of many reasons to avoid drinking and driving, as this will certainly put the driver in a precarious position in this scenario.

Finally, motorists are encouraged to purchase a dashcam.

“These can be relatively inexpensive and be worth the expense should something happen, and you face legal consequences,” Herbert added.

IOL