ACC calls on Kiwis to be better on the road

It’s Road Safety Week and the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) says it wants Kiwi drivers to change their habits for the better.

According to ACC, in 2017 there were 37,980 people – as many people as live in Gisborne – injured on New Zealand roads. The insurer paid $464 million in compensation and rehabilitation to help those hurt in motor vehicle accidents.

“Two simple behaviour changes could have prevented many of these crashes,” ACC said.

Here are some statistics, highlighted by ACC, that brokers can pass on to clients to encourage them to stay safe on the road:

• Wear seatbelts – a third of drivers and passengers who died on New Zealand roads didn’t;
• Put down the phone - drivers who don’t are four times more likely to be involved in a crash causing injury.

ACC chief customer officer Mike Tully said Kiwis need to remember that behind every statistic “the true cost is the far-reaching impact – physically and mentally – that road accidents have on victims, their families, and local communities.”

ACC also quoted a study from University College London which says “it takes on average 66 days to hard-wire a new habit and 18 days for a simple task.”

“Road Safety Week is a great time to ask yourself what you can do to make yourself a better driver, and put it into action,” ACC added.

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