Objective

To quantify cost savings obtained before and after the implementation of the penalty-points driving licence on the interurban roads in Spain.

Method

Descriptive study through the construction of three indicators that expressed the cost savings by the number of victims avoided. We defined two periods according to the objective and collected data on fatalities, serious injuries and slight injuries on interurban roads in 1999-2014 for each Spanish province. Thus, data for its population, GDP or number of vehicles-kilometres travelled on its roads (MVKT) were used for each province. The quantification of savings was obtained using official figures of costs for each type of victim in 2014 prices.

Results

The cost savings per inhabitant on fatalities in the period of validity of the penalty-points driving licence was between € 3.89 and € 19.65 per year. Savings on serious injuries by MVKT were reduced by 15%-66% between 2006 and 2014, being from € 449.15 to 1707.88 € annually.

Conclusions

During the period of validity of the penalty-points driving licence, the Spanish provinces have achieved significant cost savings.

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