New fund launched to help accident victims

Dubai: A 'Road Accident Victim's Fund' was launched yesterday to address the issue of speedy monetary aid for road accident victims, who are financially weak.

Dubai Police and the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) formally announced the launch of their initiative titled 'Road Alertness Programme', which is aimed at reducing accidents on Dubai roads. They also announced the launch of the 'Road Accident Victim's Fund'.

Brigadier Mohammad Saeed Al Merri, Deputy Director of Dubai Police's Community Service Department, said police cooperation with IAHV to launch the programme comes in line with the United Nations Road Safety Week.

Dr Prabhakar Rao, Chief Operating Officer at IAHV, said free workshops are being conducted for drivers to reduce stress and they are asked if they will voluntarily donate Dh35 for the fund.

"A committee comprising Dubai Police, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Municipality and Ministry of Social Affairs will determine the cases that deserve the funds," Dr Rao told Gulf News yesterday. He said the fund will not only help the accident victims, but also their families in some cases.

The road alertness programme has already attracted the support of the corporate sector, with Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance (Middle East) Limited E.C., a global general insurance company, committing to donate a percentage of the proceeds from every policy sold till the end of 2007 for the 'accident victims fund'.