The scale and impact of road crashes in New Zealand are significant. Each year, thousands of crashes occur, resulting in substantial human, social and economic costs.
Road crashes are a leading cause of major trauma and can have wide-ranging consequences for individuals, families, whānau and communities.
People directly affected may experience life-changing or long-term injuries, including permanent physical impairment and psychological harm.
The Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) reports on the social and economic costs of road crashes and injuries. These estimates are updated annually to support the assessment of road-safety initiatives and investment decisions.
The social-cost framework includes:
– loss of life and quality of life
– loss of productivity due to temporary or permanent incapacity
– medical costs
– legal and court costs
– vehicle-damage costs
This information helps the Government and other organisations assess transport investments, compare potential interventions and determine the benefits and cost-effectiveness of road-safety initiatives.
LATEST UPDATE
The latest available publication is the Social Cost of Road Crashes and Injuries: 2025 Update, which draws on crash and injury data from 2022 to 2024.