Journal of Political Economy Vol. 109 No. 6 2001
How Dangerous Are Drinking Drivers?
Abstract
We present a methodology for measuring the risks posed by drinking drivers that relies solely on readily available data on fatal crashes. The key to our identification strategy is a hidden richness inherent in two‐car crashes. Drivers with alcohol in their blood are seven times more likely to cause a fatal crash; legally drunk drivers pose a risk 13 times greater than sober drivers. The externality per mile driven by a drunk driver is at least 30 cents. At current enforcement rates the punishment per arrest for drunk driving that internalizes this externality would be equivalent to a fine of $8,000.
- DOI
- 10.1086/323281
- Volume
- 109
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1198-1237
- Language
- en
- Sources
- bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref