Deterring drunk driving fatalities: an economics of crime perspective (original) (raw)

The study systematically examines the direct deterrence of drunk driving fatalities from an economics of crime perspective, utilizing Becker's economic theory of crime. It builds on previous research by employing a more precise measure of alcohol's relationship to accidents through blood alcohol content data, controlling for per capita alcohol consumption, and implementing fixed-effects models to provide reliable estimates. Key variables influencing arrest probabilities and penalties are analyzed in detail to determine their effect on deterrence, ultimately highlighting the complex dynamics influencing DUI-related fatalities.