THE EFFECTS OF OHIO'S 1983 DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED LAW: A THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION (DETERRENCE, DRUNK, ACCIDENTS)
Abstract
The effects of drunk driving laws are usually measured in terms of traffic accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities. Given the potential drawbacks to this measure, a more direct measure of alcohol involvement in accidents is suggested. This new measure is then combined with economic principles to test for changes in incentives to report accidents. Ohio's 1983 drunk driving law serves as the constraint change which generates incentive changes. Empirical evidence indicates that the number of reported alcohol-related accidents fell as a result of the law. However, further tests confirm that this reduction was due at least in part to drunk drivers' increased incentives to leave the scene and/or bribe others not to report the accident.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Economics
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