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COVID‐19 lockdown and traffic accidents: Lessons from the pandemic

Author

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  • Stephen R. Barnes
  • Louis‐Philippe Beland
  • Jason Huh
  • Dongwoo Kim

Abstract

We use a regression discontinuity design to study the effect of the COVID‐19 lockdown on traffic accidents. Based on administrative data from Louisiana, we find that the lockdown order led to a significant decrease in traffic accidents (−47%), including accidents involving injury (−46%) and ambulance (−41%). We also find evidence of heterogeneous changes in the decline of drivers involved in accidents, with a smaller decline among individuals aged 25 to 64, male, and nonwhite drivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen R. Barnes & Louis‐Philippe Beland & Jason Huh & Dongwoo Kim, 2022. "COVID‐19 lockdown and traffic accidents: Lessons from the pandemic," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 40(2), pages 349-368, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:40:y:2022:i:2:p:349-368
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12562
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    3. Feng Huang & Hong Liu, 2023. "The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic and related policy responses on non‐COVID‐19 healthcare utilization in China," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 620-638, March.
    4. Silvius STANCIU, 2022. "Post COVID-19 Lessons. Could the SARS-CoV-2 Virus be a Progress Factor? A Literature Review," Economics and Applied Informatics, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 2, pages 36-46.

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