Skip to main content

Average US$3.75mn ‘social cost’ of each New Zealand road death

The average social cost of each New Zealand road accident death is $3.75 million (NZD 4.54 million), according to an estimation by the New Zealand ministry of transport (MOT) The New Zealand MOT also estimates that the average cost of serious injuries due to road accidents is $392,989 (NZD 473,600) per person. The social costs include financial and non-financial costs of accidents such as property damage, medical and legal expenses as well as loss of quality of life. The number of road accidents in New Ze
January 16, 2014 Read time: 1 min
The average social cost of each New Zealand road accident death is US$3.75 million (NZD 4.54 million), according to an estimation by the New Zealand ministry of transport (MOT).

The New Zealand MOT also estimates that the average cost of serious injuries due to road accidents is $392,989 (NZD 473,600) per person. The social costs include financial and non-financial costs of accidents such as property damage, medical and legal expenses as well as loss of quality of life.

The number of road accidents in New Zealand has declined from 308 in 2012 to 254 in 2013. It is estimated that one person died every 28 hours in a New Zealand road accident in 2012, with total social costs of road accidents during that year reaching $3.18 billion (NZD 3.84 billion).

Related Content

  • New road links will cut congestion in St Petersburg
    June 20, 2016
    Road building will solve the problem of traffic jams in St Petersburg – Eugene Gerden writes The authorities in Russian city St Petersburg plan to solve the problem of traffic jams in the city during the next few years. The strategy is expected to be achieved through road building and the improvement of transport connections between different districts in the city. Implementation of these plans will take place as part of the decree 355 "Of the Strategy of St Petersburg Economic and Social Development
  • Road safety challenge for Europe
    June 25, 2012
    The latest official figures on road safety in Europe are giving cause for concern, with data showing that casualty reduction has slowed. EU transport commissioner Siim Kallas recently announced disappointing progress in casualty reduction on Europe's roads. The joint European police association, TISPOL, has added that it is also concerned that improvements in cutting fatalities on Europe’s roads significantly slowed in 2011. The overall figure shows a reduction of just 2% in the total number of people kille
  • India pushing ahead with infrastructure projects
    July 4, 2012
    Despite the economic downturn, India looks to be pressing ahead with its major infrastructure projects to further boost its incredible growth. Patrick Smith reports India, which like most countries has been affected by the current economic climate, although not to the same extent, is pressing ahead with its ambitious highway construction plans. Each week new projects are completed, started or awarded as the nation seeks to improve its transportation requirements. These are needed to meet the aspirations of
  • 3M forecasts US$350mn 2013 Russia turnover
    October 31, 2013
    3M expects to post a turnover of US$350 million (RUB 11.129 billion) in Russia this year – an increase of 16.6% on the $300 million (RUB 9.539 billion) posted in 2011, according to its CEO Inge Thulin. Russia accounts for 1% of total annual turnover for the globally renowned manufacturer of innovative products for transport, industry, healthcare, energy efficiency, security and other spheres. 3M estimates that developing countries will capture 40-45% of its total turnover within five years, up from t