Page 801 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 May 1992
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APPENDIX 1:
(Incorporated in Hansard on 19 May 1992 at page 581)
Death rates as a result of cycle accidents in NSW and Victoria per year (Compulsory cycle helmet legislation introduced in 1991)
Year NSW Victoria
1988 34 17
1989 19 34
1990 20 24
1991 10 12 (After the intro. of helmet legislation)
So far this year, NSW have recorded 4 cycle deaths which, projected yearly, indicates 10 deaths per year.
Head InLun Statistics For, Victoria
Three separate studies have been undertaken in Victoria to ascertain the impact of compulsory helmet wearing on head injuries in that state. They showed a reduction of 46%, 40% and 47% respectively in head injuries as a result of cycle accidents after the introduction of the legislation.
Statistics
Over the last two years in the ACT, a total of four people have died as a result of cycle accidents, two of whom suffered head injuries.
Of the 18 cyclists who were admitted to hospital with injuries nn 1991, seven suffered head injuries (none of whom were wearing helmets), and 11 were admitted with other injuries. of these 11, five were wearing helmets. In other words, none of the five helmet wearers who were hospitalised sustained head injuries whereas seven of the 13 hospitalised non helmet wearers did sustain head injuries.
In 1990, of the 17 cyclists admitted to hospital, 5 wore helmets, none of whom suffered lead injuries. 4 of the 12 cyclists who were not wearing helmets, suffered head injuries.
So, on the basis of these two years, if a cyclist who is wearing a helmet is hospitalised, he/she is unlikely to have a head injury. But if a cyclist who is not wearing a helmet is hospitalised, he/she has a 30 - 50% chance of having a head injury.
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