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Seatbelt Use Among Drunk Drivers In Different Legislative Settings

Author

Listed:
  • Scott Adams
  • Chad Cotti
  • Nathan Tefft

Abstract

We present evidence from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System that shows increased seatbelt use following the concurrent presence of stricter blood alcohol content thresholds and primarily enforced seatbelt laws. This suggests that inebriated drivers may use their seat belts more judiciously to avoid being identified as a drunk driver by law enforcement. The interactive effect of stricter drunk driving laws and primary seatbelt laws are also shown to be more effective than either law passed in isolation in terms of reducing traffic fatalities. (JEL K4, I18)

Suggested Citation

  • Scott Adams & Chad Cotti & Nathan Tefft, 2015. "Seatbelt Use Among Drunk Drivers In Different Legislative Settings," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 53(1), pages 758-772, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:53:y:2015:i:1:p:758-772
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12155
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Brady P. Horn & Johanna Catherine Maclean & Michael R. Strain, 2017. "Do Minimum Wage Increases Influence Worker Health?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 55(4), pages 1986-2007, October.
    3. Otto Lenhart, 2020. "Pathways Between Minimum Wages and Health: The Roles of Health Insurance, Health Care Access and Health Care Utilization," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 46(3), pages 438-459, June.
    4. French, Michael & Gumus, Gulcin, 2024. "Hit-and-Run or Hit-and-Stay? Unintended Effects of a Stricter BAC Limit," IZA Discussion Papers 16774, IZA Network @ LISER.
    5. Popovici, Ioana & Maclean, J. Catherine & French, Michael, 2017. "The Effects of Health Insurance Parity Laws for Substance Use Disorder Treatment on Traffic Fatalities: Evidence of Unintended Benefits," IZA Discussion Papers 10746, IZA Network @ LISER.
    6. Ioana Popovici & Johanna Catherine Maclean & Michael T. French, 2017. "Health Insurance and Traffic Fatalities: The Effects of Substance Use Disorder Parity Laws," NBER Working Papers 23388, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Javier E. Portillo & Wisnu Sugiarto & Kevin Willardsen, 2024. "Drink…then drive away: The effects of lowering the blood alcohol concentration in Utah," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(8), pages 1869-1894, August.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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