WE ARE TOLD that some vehicles are driven on the public roads, where they or the drivers are not insured and, when these may be instrumental in the causation of some accident, damage or death, there is still a need for the innocent to be adequately compensated.
We are hearing talk of “freeing” the guilty, even when these are murderers, but not a word of any kind for compensation of the innocent.
At best, if the other party to the causation is insured but one party – as stated above – is not, the insured party may get cover towards any losses. The uninsured party will not be covered and, therefore, will be unable to recover any sustained losses. Worse, the uninsured may be a person of straw and is usually incapable of recompensing the innocent.
It is about time that we set up a voluntary fund to reimburse any losses suffered by the guiltless. After all, insurance is instituted by the many and ends up paying for the few.
The fund may be set up by a percentage, let us say five per cent, of proceeds, from insurance companies and brokers, and the sum garnered be augmented by a similar amount from Government. These parties will be the administrators of the fund.
In contrast, we already live in what may be called a welfare state, where those who have not the means to contribute will receive treatment for their own illnesses and/or injuries. These are free at the point of delivery but are paid for by the tax-paying public.
My point in simple terms: there will always be those who will not be able to pay their way in society, being unable to meet demands. A system may be in place to mitigate losses to the fund by any causing such loss.
– REV. H. MALCOLM GIBBS-TAITT