Taxpayers cover only part of government vehicle crash costs

The government asserts that accidents involving state-owned vehicles are not imposing a major financial burden on taxpayers, primarily because most repair and replacement costs are covered through insurance policies. This clarification addresses growing public concerns regarding the frequency of government vehicle accidents and their associated expenses.

Government records indicate a total of 826 vehicle accidents occurred between March 2023 and April 2026. The estimated repair costs for these incidents amounted to $7.39 million. However, Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel explained that the majority of government vehicles are leased and insured. Consequently, the state primarily covers only the insurance excess payments when accidents happen.

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So that’s a safeguard for us. So we only pay for the excess; the accidents on the vehicle are paid for by the insurance company.

"So that’s a safeguard for us. So we only pay for the excess; the accidents on the vehicle are paid for by the insurance company," Immanuel stated. He emphasized that this arrangement does not permit leniency, and the government maintains a firm stance against drivers found responsible for causing accidents. He added that government drivers are consistently reminded of their duties, including the importance of switching off vehicles when not in use.

To mitigate future incidents, the government plans to implement regular driver training programs and enhance accountability measures. These initiatives are expected to reduce the occurrence of accidents and ensure the responsible use of state-owned vehicles.

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However, that should not be a case for us to be flexible on. We take a hard stance on those drivers involved.