Abstract
The theories of estimation of the cost of road crashes are discussed. Different methods and their relevance to different societies are presented. Then the elements of the cost of road crashes are introduced and estimated for Iran as an example of the developing world. The total cost in the Iranian year of 1376 (21 March 1997-20 March 1998) for only rural roads (and not the total rural and urban roads) is evaluated to be equal to 6170.6 billion Rials or US$ 1,234 million. This is equivalent to 1.94% of Iran Gross National Product (GNP).