The social and economic implications of road accidents are assessed and fourteen cost parameters are identified and valued. These cost parameters include the losses in family and community contribution and pain and suffering which are usually regarded as intangible.

Serious road accidents in South Australia during the 12 month period from March 1976 to March 1977 are estimated to cost the community $400 million ($ 1980 Aus.). This figure relates to 7985 casualty accidents. A road accident fatality is estimated to cost the community more than $300 million ($ 1980 Aus.).

The total cost amount is distributed by type of accident and also by the type of error (if any) committed by the active participants who are defined to include all drivers, riders and pedestrians.

The procedure developed in this study could also be applied to many other classifications of the overall cost, such as the costs associated with road and traffic factors. Ultimately it should be possible to develop a cost ranking for all of the known road accident risk factors, allowing for differences in other characteristics of the accidents.