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Traffic safety and norms of compliance with rules: An exploratory study

Author

Listed:
  • Hélène Laurent

    (University of Namur, Namur, Belgium)

  • Marc Sangnier

    (University of Namur, Namur, Belgium)

  • Carole Treibich

    (Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, INRAE, Grenoble INP, GAEL, Grenoble, France)

Abstract

We use a simple model of drivers' vigilance effort choice to show that drivers' propensity to follow traffic rules has two opposite effects on road safety. On the one hand, it lowers the frequency of dangerous situations. On the other hand, it also reduces drivers' vigilance effort as each driver anticipates that dangerous situations will be less frequent. These two opposite effects may lead to a non-monotonic relationship between compliance with road rules and the incidence of road traffic accidents. We present cross-country estimates that support the existence of a bell-shaped relationship between norms of compliance with rules and traffic fatalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Hélène Laurent & Marc Sangnier & Carole Treibich, 2021. "Traffic safety and norms of compliance with rules: An exploratory study," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 41(4), pages 2464-2483.
    • Handle: RePEc:ebl:ecbull:eb-21-00589
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    JEL classification:

    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics
    • Z1 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics

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