ABSTRACT
The total cost of road accidents in Great Britain in 1989 is estimated at about £6 billion (Dept of Transport et al. 1990). This figure is calculated from the direct costs of ambulance and police time, hospital treatment and loss of earnings, plus a notional sum for the pain, grief and suffering involved. Clearly the costs to society and to the individuals are enormous, and all reasonable effort should be directed towards reducing the number and severity of road accidents wherever possible.
