Keith Vodden Dr. Douglas Smith - Transports Canada

Ontario Sub-Models and Their Social Costs
2. Pedestrian involved collisions
Pedestrians were involved in 4555 collisions in Ontario in 2004. These produced
social costs estimated at $1.9 billion. The social costs of human consequences make up
almost $1.8 billion (98%) of this total. Exhibit V-5 presents these social costs. The
average pedestrian involved collision has a social cost of $412 thousand.
3. Large truck collisions
Large trucks were involved in 16,299 collisions in 2004. Social costs for these
collisions are estimated at $2.7 billion. The social costs of human consequences make up
almost $2.4 billion (89%) of this total. Exhibit V-6 presents these social costs. The
average large truck collision has a social cost of $166 thousand.
4. Freeway collisions
There were 26,041 collisions on freeways in Ontario in 2004. Social costs for
these collisions are estimated at $2.4 billion. The social costs of human consequences
make up almost $1.9 billion (76%) of this total. Exhibit V-7 presents these social costs.
The average freeway collision has a social cost of $130 thousand.
C. GOVERNMENT COST OF MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS RELATED
TO FREEWAYS
The sub-set of costs borne by the government related to freeway collisions is
noted in Exhibit V-8. These costs are estimated at $51 million in 2004 or approximately
$2,000 per freeway collision. Police account for $20 million (39%) of costs followed by
hospital/health care at $13.7 million (27%) and fire services at $11.2 million (22%) of
total government costs.
TNS Canadian Facts, Social and Policy Research 63