Cost to Motorists
The state's Interstate Highway System saves the average New Hampshire resident $2,541 per year -- $3.3 billion statewide -- in reduced accident costs such as medical expenses and lost productivity, the value of saved time and fuel, and reduced apparel, food, housing and transportation costs.
- By reducing travel times, the Interstate system saves each New Hampshire resident 68 hours of travel time annually – 88 million hours statewide.
- New Hampshire's Interstate system annually reduces statewide motor fuel consumption by 42 million gallons.
- The Interstate Highway System has significantly lowered consumer costs. The cost of transporting goods has been reduced because the time it takes to make trips has been decreased.
- Motor vehicle crashes cost New Hampshire over $1 billion per year, $820 for each resident, in medical costs, lost productivity, travel delays, workplace costs, insurance costs and legal costs.
Titled “On a Crash Course: The Dangers and Health Costs of Deficient Roadways,” the study found the $217 billion cost of deficient roadway conditions dwarfs the costs of other safety factors, including: $130 billion for alcohol, $97 billion for speeding, or $60 billion for failing to wear a safety belt. Indeed, the $217 billion figure is more than three-and-one-half times the amount of money government at all levels is investing annually in roadway capital improvements – $59 billion, according to the Federal Highway Administration. The report concluded that roadway related crashes impose $20 billion in medical costs; $46 billion in productivity costs; $52 billion in property damage and other resource costs; and $99 billion in quality of life costs which measure the value of pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life by those injured or killed in crashes and their families. The report also found that crashes linked to road conditions cost American businesses an estimated $22 billion at a time when many firms are struggling. According to the report, crashes linked to road conditions cost taxpayers over $12 billion every year.
- Driving on roads in need of repair costs NH’s motorists $246 million annually - $250 per driver - in extra vehicle operating costs, including accelerated vehicle depreciation, additional repair costs and increased fuel consumption and tire wear.
- The HDM study found that road deterioration increases ownership, repair, fuel and tire costs. The report found that deteriorated roads accelerate the pace of depreciation of vehicles and the need for repairs because the stress on the vehicle increases in proportion to the level of roughness of the pavement surface. Similarly, tire wears and fuel consumption increase as roads deteriorate since there is less efficient transfer of power to the drive train and additional friction between the road and tires.
