Photo: Gregor RichardsonThe estimated social cost of motor vehicle fatal and injury crashes in 2017 was $4.8 billion - an increase of $0.6 billion on the previous year. "This report identifies the 378 fatalities of 2017 as having a social cost of $4.4 million each. Total social cost of road injury crashes in 2017The total social cost of motor vehicle injury crashes in 2017 is estimated at $4.8 billion, at June 2018 prices. Loss of life/life quality due to permanent impairments accounted for approximately 91 per cent of the total social cost of injury crashes. The total social cost of all motor vehicle crashes in 2017 is estimated at $5.6 billion and covers all injuries recorded by NZ Police, hospitals and ACC.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 16, 2019 03:22 UTC