While 2328 Otago and Southland people making claims for road-related injuries in 2025 may seem alarming, what is more concerning is Accident Compensation Corporation data shows about a third of those being seriously injured or killed, are aged 16-24.
Those drivers make up about 14% of licence holders, but they also account for 38% of serious injuries and 27% of fatalities on New Zealand roads.
And the injuries the age-group sustain in crashes, often involve high-energy trauma, leading to longer recovery times, higher lifetime costs, and extended time away from work.
Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) injury prevention leader James Whitaker said the 2328 claims across Otago and Southland cost the taxpayer $55 million to help people recover — its highest point in six years.
Nationally, there were 34,649 road-related injury claims, costing $766 million.
‘‘Road injuries make up a small proportion of ACC claims, but their impact is significant,’’ he said.
‘‘This higher cost is driven by the nature of road trauma.
‘‘The average cost per claim is $14,500 — nearly 10 times higher than sports injuries, and three times that of workplace injuries.’’
Mr Whitaker said young drivers remained significantly over-represented in road trauma.
Research showed one of the reasons was that 16-24 year-olds had the highest rates of distraction-related crashes, with 58% admitting to holding their phones while driving.
‘‘Young drivers are four times as likely to be in a crash if they are using their phones while driving.
‘‘Our research shows that young drivers are most likely to crash during the first six months of holding a restricted licence — more than at any other time in their lives.
‘‘Preventing harm and supporting faster recovery is critical to reducing long-term costs, improving outcomes, and maintaining workforce participation.’’
ACC released the statistics as part of Road Safety Week (May 4-10).
To help reduce the risk of road-related injuries, ACC and the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi have created Drive — a joint programme designed to develop safer, more skilled young drivers through a combination of digital tools, education, and practical support.
Mr Whitaker said young people who used Drive were 28% less likely to have a crash-related injury claim than other young drivers who had not engaged with the programme.
