The economic impact of road traffic fatalities in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the economic cost of road traffic fatalities in Jamaica. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study used the Gross Output Approach to estimate the economic cost of road traffic fatalities in Jamaica for 2012 and 2013. It entailed estimating the cost of loss of output, cost of medical treatment, cost of damage to vehicles and other property and administrative cost. RESULTS: The fatalities per accident for 2012 and 2013 were 2.24 and 1.56 respectively. The average age of fatal accident victim is 39. With an average retirement age of 64, the average productive years lost is 26 years. Using an annual average wage of $1,021,488 in 2012 and $1,060,852 in 2013, the discounted loss of output per fatal crash in 2012 and 2013 is $42,131,733.1 and $30,472,454 respectively. CONCLUSION: Estimates from 2012 and 2013 suggested that loss of output alone from road traffic crashes accounted for $42,131,733.1 and $30,472,454 respectively.