For those vehicle insurers lamenting their lot in the Australian market, vehicle crashes in the year 2000 cost the US more than $421 billion. That’s how much medical care, lost work days and other expenses totalled in that year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report said the medical costs of vehicle crashes alone totaled nearly $61 billion, while lost job productivity carried the highest price tag, at $111.8 billion.

About 16,800, or 40%, of all US traffic deaths in 2000 were alcohol-related. And lax seat belt use is also a huge problem. Nearly 9,300 non-seat belt wearers died and 143,000 were injured in accidents.

“Those not directly involved in crashes pay for nearly three-quarters of all crash costs through insurance premiums, taxes, and travel delay,” the report said.