The Social Welfare Department paid out $154.3 million from the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Fund in 2004-05, up 2.1% on the previous year's $151.1 million.

According to the fund's 04-05 annual report, 8,356 applications were received, up 4.2% on the previous year.

The number of casualties rose 7.1% to 19,422. However, the rate of application fell from 44.2% to 43%.

The department processed 93 serious traffic accident cases. The highest award, $117,000, was granted to the surviving dependants of a fatal case.

The accident with the most victims occurred November 9, 2004, in a four-vehicle collision on Tai Po Road in Sha Tin. Forty-three victims were injured and 17 were found eligible for assistance, seeing $210,000 paid out.