None for the Road? Stricter Drink Driving Laws and Road Accidents

Marco Francesconi and Jonathan James ()
Additional contact information
Jonathan James: University of Bath

No 14499, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Reducing drink drive limits is generally regarded an effective strategy to save lives on the road. Using several new administrative data sources, we evaluate the effect of a stricter limit introduced in Scotland in 2014. This reduction had no effect on drink driving and road collisions. Estimates from a supply-of-offenses function suggests that the reform did not have much ex-ante scope for sizeable effects. The unavailability of cheaper alternative means of transportation and weak law enforcement seem to have been the main channels behind the lack of an impact. We find no externality on a wide range of domains, from alcohol consumption to criminal activities other than drink driving.

Keywords: road collisions; driving under the influence; health; alcohol; crime (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D62 I12 I18 K42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 43 pages
Date: 2021-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur, nep-hea and nep-law
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

Published - published in: Journal of Health Economics, 2021, 79, 102487

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Related works:
Journal Article: None for the Road? Stricter Drink Driving Laws and Road Accidents (2021)
Working Paper: None for the Road? Stricter Drink Driving Laws and Road Accidents (2021)
Working Paper: None for the Road? Stricter Drink Driving Laws and Road Accidents (2021)
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