7. DAVID BENNETT (National—Hamilton East) Link to this
to the Minister for ACC
How many accident compensation claims have been made for motorcycle accidents in the last full year and how does this compare with a decade ago?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for ACC) Link to this
There were 5,044 accident compensation claims for motorcycle accidents in 2008. This compares with 871 in 1998. This is an almost fivefold increase, it is the single greatest increase in claims for accident compensation, and it cannot be ignored.
What data does the Minister have—noting the large increase in motorcycle accident claims—on the number of fatal accidents today and historically?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
In 2008, 46 motorcyclists, or almost 1 motorcyclist per week, were killed on New Zealand roads. This was the highest number in the last decade, over which there had been a steady increase of 21 percent. I note that over the same period there had been a 27 percent decline in the overall road toll.
Why is the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) board proposing that the levies differentiate by motorcycle size?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
There has been a significant social shift in motorcycle ownership in recent years. Ownership of small, or 125cc-type, bikes has declined, and the number of injuries and fatalities amongst young people has been in decline. There has been a massive increase in large bikes owned by an older age group of riders. This is reflected in the accident data and in the costs of those accidents.
Hon David ParkerWhy does the Minister persist in misrepresenting accident figures for motorcyclists by quoting the number of accidents rather than the rate of accidents per 10,000 on-road motorcyclists?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Motorcycle numbers have increase by 60 percent over the last decade, from 60,000 to 97,000, but that is insufficient to explain a fivefold increase in the number of accident compensation claims. To put it another way for the member, in 1998 there was one claim per 69 bikes registered; last year there was one claim per 19 bikes registered.
Is the Minister aware that the section of an ACC report headed “Motorcycle Casualties and Crashes” states that crashes have decreased from 511 per 10,000 on-road motorcycles in 1973, to 142 crashes per 10,000 on-road motorcycles in 2008, a decrease of more than two-thirds?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
It is true that in the 1970s there were horrific numbers of both motorcycle and car accidents, and it is also true that, in terms of the number of car accidents, we have consistently been able to improve road safety and reduce the road toll. But the fact is that over the last decade the number of motorcycle fatalities increased each and every single year that members opposite were in Government, and they did nothing.
Is the Minister aware that in respect of the latest period—the difference between 2007 and 2008—the number of accidents per 10,000 on-road motorcycles decreased from 152 per 10,000 to 142 per 10,000?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
In 2006 there were 4,265 accident compensation claims and 38 fatalities; last year there were 5,044 claims and 46 fatalities. I say again that more people died in motorcycle accidents in 2008 than in any of the last 10 years, and that should concern every member of this House.
I seek leave to table section 4 of the Accident Compensation Corporation’s own report, which is headed “Motorcycle Casualties and Crashes”; it shows that the rate of motorcycle accidents has decreased quite markedly.
Mr SPEAKERHon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I seek leave to table motorcycle accident statistics for 1998-2008, which list the number of claims made by motorcyclists and the number of fatal injuries over the last decade.