The Socioeconomic Costs of Road Traffic Accidents in Ethekwini (Durban) Municipality,South Africa

Abstract

There were 51,880 road traffic accidents recorded in Durban Municipality in 1998, 46.4% being same direction accidents. Most of the casualties (38.8%) were from the vehicle/ pedestrian accidents. Casualties per 100 accidents were highest with vehicle/pedestrian accidents (97.5) and only 9.5 in same direction accidents. Fatalities occurred in 1% of the road traffic accidents and made up 5.1% of all casualties.

The total costs of road traffic accidents in 1998 were US$151 million, which was 13.1% of the budget of the municipality for 2002/2003. Damage only accidents cost about US$83.6 million and comprised 55.4% of the total accident costs. Fatal accidents cost US$25.9 million and 17.2% of the total costs. Serious and slight accidents cost about US$42 million and 27.4% of the total costs. Slight accidents cost about US$20.16 million and 13.3% of the total costs.

There is an urgent need for measures to reduce the number of pedestrian casualties and fatalities of road traffic accidents.

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