Almost 60,000 people compensated for road accidents: report

The Transport Accident Commission has paid out compensation to more than 59,000 people in the last year.

The Transport Accident Commission has paid out compensation to more than 59,000 people in the year to June.

The insurer’s annual report shows payouts topped $1.5 billion in benefits and compensation to a record number of people.

The TAC’s profitability from its insurance arm experienced a gigantic turnaround from a $1.54 billion loss in 2018-19 to a “best ever” profit of $744 million in 2019-20.

The annual report said that was achieved through “effective claims management” and a focus on “operational efficiencies.”

The TAC’s chairman Greg Wilson said the organisation was in a strong position.

“We have helped a record number of clients return to meaningful work, which is key to helping them get their lives back on track,” Mr Wilson said.

“The TAC is a strong, sustainable position to keep supporting injured Victorian for decades to come.”

The TAC said it supported 3673 clients back to work, including 123 who were seriously injured, in the year to June.

The TAC earned $1.95 billion from ­vehicle registration and charges for trains and trams in 2019-20, up from $1.86 billion in 2018-19.

Revenue from vehicle registration and charges for trains and trams has risen by more than $150 million since July 2018.

The TAC spend on road safety infrastructure topped $235.90 million in 2019-20 but was down $63 million from the year before.

More than 830km of flexible barriers on Victoria’s most dangerous roads were installed in 2019-20.

While tactile marking that alerts drivers when it’s driven over was also installed on 2749km of road, and safety improvements were made at 124 intersections.

In February, the TAC completed a roundabout on the Surf Coast Highway that includes protected bicycle lanes.

The TAC’s expenditure on its 1100 staff rose by $2.96 million to $133.23 million in the year to June and one of it’s staff was paid more than $490,000.

The annual report shows 266 people died on Victorian roads in 2019, including 146 in rural Victoria, but numbers trended down in last half of 2019 and the first half of 2020.

There were 3999 serious injuries reported on Victorian roads in the year to June, and 150,000 roadside drug tests were completed in 2019.

The TAC operates on a “no fault” basis meaning Victorians, including those driving a Victorian-registered vehicle interstate, are eligible for compensation to assist with out-of- pocket and other expenses incurred as a result of an accident.

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Originally published as Almost 60,000 people compensated for road accidents: report