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  3. American Economic Review
  4. April 2015
  5. Punishment and Deterrence: Evidence from Drunk Driving

American Economic Review

ISSN 0002-8282 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7981 (Online)

Punishment and Deterrence: Evidence from Drunk Driving

  • Benjamin Hansen
American Economic Review
vol. 105, no. 4, April 2015
(pp. 1581–1617)
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Abstract

I test the effect of harsher punishments and sanctions on driving under the influence (DUI). In this setting, punishments are determined by strict rules on blood alcohol content (BAC) and previous offenses. Regression discontinuity derived estimates suggest that having a BAC above the DUI threshold reduces recidivism by up to 2 percentage points (17 percent). Likewise having a BAC over the aggravated DUI threshold reduces recidivism by an additional percentage point (9 percent). The results suggest that the additional sanctions experienced by drunk drivers at BAC thresholds are effective in reducing repeat drunk driving. (JEL I12, K42, R41)

Citation

Hansen, Benjamin. 2015. "Punishment and Deterrence: Evidence from Drunk Driving." American Economic Review, 105 (4): 1581–1617. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20130189

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • I12 Health Behavior
  • K42 Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
  • R41 Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise