NRMA finds road trauma cost the Shoalhaven community $700 million

Shoalhaven had the third highest cost in NSW, with only Wollongong and the Central Coast having larger figures.

The cost to the community was calculated by looking at the historical crash history between 2014-18 across regional and metropolitan Local Government Areas and based on the number of people per region and the number of kilometres of road.

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During the four year period there were 50 deaths on Shoalhaven roads, 345 serious injuries, 544 moderate injuries and 164 minor injuries.

When broken down the cost of road trauma in the Shoalhaven was $267,000 per km of road or $7,000 per person.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said the South Coast region was a key area for road infrastructure funding, particularly when domestic tourism resumes in the region.

"Fixing roads in Wollongong and the greater South Coast area will save lives, provide a much needed boost to regional economies and give greater access to regional tourism destinations, particularly as we emerge from COVID-19 travel restrictions," Mr Khoury said.

"The South Coast has always been a top destination for holidays, and with the international travel restrictions to remain in place for some time, domestic locations will rise even further in popularity. We need to make sure tourists and locals are driving on the safest and most efficient roads possible.

"The Australian and NSW Governments are right to look to infrastructure spending to help Australia get back on its feet and this research by the NRMA sheds some valuable light on those communities that have borne the brunt of the economic cost of deaths and injuries."

Across NSW, data shows two-thirds of deaths on the state's roads occur in regional areas.