An economic assessment and preliminary cost benefit analysis of the government strategy for road safety 1998-2002. Commissioned by the National Safety Council.

The National Safety Council commissioned this study of the benefits and costs of the Government Road Safety Strategy 1998-2002. The aims were to 1) develop a provisional robust estimate of the overall cost benefit of the Government Road Safety Strategy 1998-2002, focussing on the priority objectives set out in the strategy which need to be achieved to ensure success; 2) assess the adequacy of the system of collecting, storing and analysing road accident data which is required to support robust cost benefit analysis, future measurement of success and as an information base to support required actions; 3) recommend an appropriate method of valuation, for road safety purposes, of loss of life, serious and other injuries and material damage, having regard to present differences in valuation methods between the National Roads Authority and the Irish Insurance Industry and having regard also in this context to international practice and the need to generate comparable data for EU and ECMT purposes; 4) recommend a methodology for the development of a comprehensive cost benefit approach to Irish road safety policies and strategies, identifying key deficiencies in present arrangements and systems and setting out practical suggestions for remedying these, including the allocation of tasks between different players. (A)