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Mind the Weather: A Panel Data Analysis of Time-Invariant Factors and Traffic Fatalities

Author

Listed:
  • Pavel A. Yakovlev

    (Duquesne University)

  • Margaret Inden

    (Duquesne University)

Abstract

Many important determinants of traffic fatalities have been identified using the widely popular fixed-effects (FE) estimator for panel data. However, the FE estimator precludes an analysis of time-invariant or rarely changing variables, thereby obscuring their relative impact on traffic fatalities. This study estimates the effect of time-invariant and rarely changing variables (climate, geography, laws, etc.) on the U.S. state traffic fatality rate using alternative econometric methods in addition to the FE estimator. We find that alcohol consumption, air temperature, and precipitation have the largest effect on traffic fatalities. Our findings suggest that policy makers and the insurance industry practitioners may want to re-evaluate the role of climate in road safety.

Suggested Citation

  • Pavel A. Yakovlev & Margaret Inden, 2010. "Mind the Weather: A Panel Data Analysis of Time-Invariant Factors and Traffic Fatalities," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 30(4), pages 2685-2696.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-10-00176
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Pavel A. Yakovlev & Christina M. Orr-Magulick, 2018. "On the road again: traffic fatalities and auto insurance minimums," Public Sector Economics, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 42(1), pages 45-65.
    2. repec:ipf:psejou:v:42:y:2018:i:42:p:45-65 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Yu Lei & Guirong Zhang & Shan Lu & Jiahuan Qian, 2022. "Generation Paths of Major Road Accidents Based on Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    traffic fatalities; road safety; geography; climate; weather; temperature; precipitation; speed limit; seat belt; alcohol consumption;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics

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