Road crashes, a thorny issue for insurers

The national road accident observatory has announced that car accidents cost Tunisian insurers more than 380 million TND (254 million USD). About 8509 accidents were reported on Tunisian roads, claiming the lives of 1485 people and causing injuries to another 12 653. Around 24% of the accidents are accounted for in Tunis province, 10% in Ben Arous, 8% in Sfax, Nabeul 6% and Ariana 5%. However, mortality rate is highest in Sfax province with (12%). Motorists are the main culprit followed by pedestrians and mopeds. The observatory has estimated that 2012 will be equally deadly, with insurers poised to sustain losses of the same scale as 2011.