Government must include serious injuries in road toll stats

The record low in road fatalities during 2013 is something to be celebrated, but the figures don’t show the personal, social and economic cost to New Zealand of serious injuries from road accidents, says Darien Fenton, Labour’s Transport spokesperson.                                     

“For every death reported, there are almost 10 times as many people who are seriously injured and 30 times as many who receive minor injuries.

“Serious injuries include spinal and brain injury, fractures, concussion, internal injuries, crushings and severe lacerations requiring hospital admission and on-going care.

“Some of the people who incurred serious injuries in crashes in 2013 and over the Christmas Holiday period will be facing life-altering consequences for them and their families.

“I agree with the police who say that we cannot be complacent about the road toll. They, along with other first responders, can testify to the horrific consequences of serious injury crashes.

“What the public is not hearing about are the on-going personal, social and economic costs of these injuries.

“It’s about time we did and the Government should make this a New Year’s resolution.”

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