‘Millions’ paid out due to increase in motor vehicle accidents

The increase in motor vehicles accidents continues to put a strain on various sectors in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), including health and insurance.

Statistics from the Accident and Emergency Department of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH), show an increase in motor vehicular and road traffic accidents from 2022, when 231 incidents were recorded, to 304 incidents in 2023. In 2020, 328 incidents were recorded.

These statistics were revealed by medical doctor, Dr Althea Hall-John, who is attached to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department, during the JARIC SVG Safe Driver 784 Road Safety Seminar held on November 21, 2024.

Apart from the myriad of trauma injuries that result from accidents, she highlighted the serious psychological impact victims suffer, including anxiety, depression, and intense fears of driving.

She noted that the cost of treating victims also affects the economy of the country, and if a bread winner has been hurt in the accident, there are ripple effects for family members.

The seminar also heard the perspective of the insurance sector from General Manager of the Sentry Insurance, Fidel Taylor.

He noted that up to two decades ago, the number of vehicles on the roads in SVG were far below what they are now, and with motor vehicle accidents up, the company has been paying out millions a year in claims.

“In 2001 we had just over 3,000 vehicles in St Vincent, we hardly had any claims, but today we are paying cheques every year for millions of dollars in claims,” Taylor noted.

He said young drivers who are seeking to insure their vehicles with Sentry are required to take a safety driving course with JARIC.

Taylor explained that this requirement is often done at the expense of losing customers, since the driver can choose to seek the services of another insurer.

“I think insurance companies who are doing motor [insurance] need to be honest with ourselves and work together.”

In addition to the “element of fraud” occurring in the sector from dishonest drivers who intentionally damage vehicles, Taylor said an inadequate legislative framework are among the issues that present challenges in insuring vehicles.

“There are people who would burn their vehicles because they have problems with their vehicles, and they would light it afire. But we don’t have proper investigators in St Vincent to really tell you that. So you have to pay the claim. They would stage accidents. We would see people take vehicles and throw them over cliffs because it ain’t working good,” he added.

“The police hands are tied, they are not lawmakers. There is need for changing the laws, there is need for breathalyzers. But you have to pass legislation for that to be enacted.”

The seminar also featured remarks from the Head of the Police Traffic Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Parnel Browne.