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).
Highway & Network Management

Related Content

  • US city of Vancouver approves new I-5 bridge
    July 18, 2022
    Vancouver in the US state of Washington and Portland in the state of Oregon are aiming for a new road bridge with the possibility of accommodating light rail transport.
    Read More
  • France sees safety improvement
    April 30, 2012
    Road safety continues to improve in France, according to the latest official statistics. Data from the French Interior Ministry reveals that there were 3,980 road fatalities in the country between 1st November 2010 and 31st October 2011, the lowest number of road-related deaths recorded since 1945. During October 2011, there were 377 road deaths, a 6.4% decline over the same period in October 2010. The French authorities hope to further improve road safety with the planned introduction of a new driving lice
    Read More
  • Intersection crashes give cause for concern
    November 29, 2012
    An increased number of intersection crashes is expected in many parts of the US and Europe. Precisely why this is so is not clear, but the period before the end of the year is frequently marked by higher than average numbers of crashes. In the US, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) recorded and increase in crashes of 24% in the period between 21st November and December 31st 2011. Meanwhile injuries rose 18% and serious injuries increased 12% in this period, when compared with the monthly average f
    Read More
  • Denmark concerned over rising cost of Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link
    February 19, 2015
    The Danish government is in talks with contractors over the latest rise in cost estimates for the proposed prestigious Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link between Denmark and Germany. Contractors have estimated an extra €295.5 million will be needed. This is in addition to a statement last November by the contracting company Femern saying that costs had risen nearly €900 million. The total rise price hike is nearly €1.2 billion. This puts the final cost of the 18km tunnel including two railway tunnels, two motorway tun
    Read More

Highlighted Content