CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The South African government’s National Road Accident Fund (RAF) issued a warning on Tuesday regarding a troubling trend in which individuals are deliberately placing themselves in front of slow-moving vehicles to secure compensation for injuries. In its statement, the fund indicated that the surge in such incidents, particularly near intersections and stop signs, is becoming a notable issue. The government recognized that certain circumstances prompting these actions may stem from economic hardships and desperation during a financially taxing time of the year.

The RAF, which provides a national compensation fund for those injured in automotive accidents, expressed its commitment to combatting fraudulent claims as it identified this emerging behavior. They detailed that some individuals are waiting until vehicles reduce their speed to a safe level to avoid fatal injuries before they leap in front of or collide with the cars, fabricating an accident scenario.

According to the RAF, “The fund does not compensate individuals who intentionally instigate a motor vehicle accident, regardless of the resulting injuries.” While the fund did not specify the exact number of these intentional incidents it has observed, it reported rejecting nearly 50,000 claims from February 2022 to February of the following year, many of which were ruled fraudulent.

This advisory has been issued just before South Africa’s notoriously hazardous holiday season on the roads. The RAF highlighted that each year, over 1,500 individuals lose their lives in road-related accidents during the holiday stretch from early December to January 11, with approximately 40% of these casualties being pedestrians. The fund also reminded the public that it does not provide compensation for fatalities themselves; rather, it covers only the expenses related to cremation or burial.

In the financial year 2023-2024, the RAF reported disbursing approximately $2.5 billion in claims, reinforcing its role in addressing the aftermath of road accidents across the nation. As the holiday season approaches, road users are urged to remain vigilant and to understand the consequences of engaging in dishonest activities related to vehicle accidents.