5 July 2001

Greens correct Act figures on trucks in fatal crashes

Accusations from the Act Party that the Greens were using incorrect statistics in measuring the role of trucks in road fatalities have been proven incorrect.

Earlier this week Act MP Penny Webster disputed figures issued by the Greens that trucks were involved in 20 per cent of fatal accidents in 1999, saying LTSA figures showed that figure to be seven per cent.

In a press statement dated July 3 Ms Webster said: "The Greens have not thought through the issue. They are using emotive arguments and incorrect statistics."

However the figures from the LTSA show that in 1999 there were 434 fatal accidents in New Zealand and 97 of these fatal accidents involved trucks. As a percentage of total fatal accidents, trucks were involved in 22.5 per cent.

Act parliamentary staff have acknowledged and apologised for the error.

A copy of these statistics are available from the LTSA, the parliamentary library or from the Green Party.

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