Dozens of car crashes in Dundee cost society millions of pounds during 2016.
Dundee City Council estimate 28 serious accidents combined with one fatal crash in the city led to a “cost to society” of £7.5 million.
The council say the seven figure sum includes “lost output, medical costs, pain, suffering, emergency service costs and damage to property”.
As part of a report to be presented to councillors during Monday’s city development committee, it is acknowledged, though progress has been made on improving safety on the city’s roads, the number is “still too high a figure”.
The report states: “Although significant casualty reduction has been achieved, one person killed and 28 people seriously injured in Dundee during 2016 is still too high a figure.
“The cost to society in economic terms through lost output, medical costs, pain, suffering, emergency service costs and damage to property for these 29 injuries is of the order of £7.5 million.
“In addition it must be remembered that there is real human grief and suffering experienced not only by those injured but also by friends and families.
“Furthermore, the perception of danger given by the occurrence of this
number of casualties can provide a barrier to people’s mobility and quality of life.
“For all these reasons, it is essential that the excellent progress made in reducing casualties to date must be continued.”
Dundee City Council has already set aside £150,000 to enhance road safety measures at sites throughout the city.
According to national road safety organisation Road Safety GB, a fatal road traffic accident is estimated to cost society £2 million.
The task of putting a price on “pain and suffering”, the group says, is not a “precise science”.
Dundee City Council reports a 65% reduction in those seriously injured each year on Dundee’s roads.
According to the council, the number of people seriously injured between 2004 and 2008 averaged 56.6 a year.
That figure had fallen to 20 by 2015.
Dundee depute city development convener Mark Flynn said: “While we have met government targets and continue to drive down the number of accidents in which people are injured we are in no way complacent.
“We remain committed to improving road safety for all residents and visitors to the city.”
A spokesman for Road Safety GB said: “Whilst it may seem unacceptable to put a price tag on any injury or death on our roads, the costing of road casualties is one effective method of targeting resources at appropriate measure that will reduce those casualties.
“The cost to society across the UK is immense, and by putting a savings value on casualty reduction, it helps to focus effort and to engage politicians in the drive to reduce casualties.”
