The Social Welfare Department paid $168.8 million from the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund in the 2007-08 financial year to help accident victims or their dependants, up 8.8% on the $155.1 million paid in the previous year.

During the period 8,964 applications were received, down 1.4%. The rate of application also fell from 47.7% to 45.7% while the number of traffic casualties rose 3.1% to 19,625.

The department processed 126 serious traffic accident cases, with the year's highest award of $117,360 granted to the victim of a serious injury case.

Thirty-nine people were injured in a six-car collision at Shing Mun Tunnel Road in Kwai Chung on July 9 last year, the largest number of victims in the year. Fifteen were eligible for the fund and $180,000 had been paid out as at March 31.

The scheme is designed to provide speedy financial help to victims or their dependants on a non-means-tested basis. Applications either in person or by post should be made within six months of a traffic accident that has been reported to the Police. Click here for details or call 2834 7472.