AUSTRALIAN STATISTICS - ROAD DEATHS
Cairns Post 1st April 2002:
Easter:
The Easter road toll has risen to 18, with 5 deaths on the nation's roads reported yesterday.
In the latest incident, a man died after crashing his bicycle into a telegraph pole near Mt Druitt in Sydney's west about 5.30 pm.
Cairns Post 28th March 2002:
Senator Ron Boswell
The roads were more hazardous for cyclists over the past year but trucks and buses were involved in fewer crashes, road safety statistics show. Senator Ron Boswell, parliamentary secretary for transport and regional services, said about 60 per cent more cyclists were killed on the roads during the past year.
The February 2002 Road Fatalities Australia bulletin found 46 cyclists died on the roads in the 12 months to February, 17 more than a year ago.
More motor cycle riders also died on the roads during the past year, up 7 per cent to 211 people.
Mr Boswell said there were a number of measures aimed at reducing the chance of injury to unprotected road users, including reduced urban and school zone speed limits and compulsory use of helmets.
While speed is a significant factor affecting the incidence and seriousness of crashes involving unprotected road users, all road users must be aware of the vulnerability of this group and take extra caution on the roads.
Mr Boswell said while the risks were getting greater for unprotected road users, overall there were 69 fewer fatalities during the past year.
There were 1739 road fatalities in the 12 months to February.
The statistics showed a 12 per cent drop in crashes involving articulated trucks last year, down to 145 from 164 the previous year.
Bus crashes also fell by a similar rate, dropping to 23 during the year from 26 the year before.
For both classes of vehicle there was also a 20 per cent drop in fatalities - 168 people died in accidents involving articulated trucks and 24 when a bus was involved.
There are more of these heavy vehicles on the road and I am heartened that the increase in their numbers on the roads has not translated into higher road crash and fatal figures.
CBUG Comment:-
What are the statistics about people who die at a later date as the result of injuries suffered in an accident. What are the statistics about people who are suffering from injuries, propbably for the rest of their lives. How many people become disabled. How many people have their life shortened as the result of an accident. How many lives such as the children, partners, relatives, friends and work mates of victims of accidents are also affected? What is the cost to the Australian people? If these figures could be even guessed at, the results would be staggering.
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