Gasoline prices and their relationship to drunk-driving crashes

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between changing gasoline prices and drunk-driving crashes. Specifically, we examine the effects of gasoline prices on drunk-driving crashes in Mississippi by several crash types and demographic groups at the monthly level from 2004 to 2008, a period experiencing great fluctuation in gasoline prices. An exploratory visualization by graphs shows that higher gasoline prices are generally associated with fewer drunk-driving crashes. Higher gasoline prices depress drunk-driving crashes among young and adult drivers, among male and female drivers, and among white and black drivers. Results from negative binomial regression models show that when gas prices are higher, there are fewer drunk-driving crashes, particularly among property-damage-only crashes. When alcohol consumption levels are higher, there are more drunk-driving crashes, particularly fatal and injury crashes. The effects of gasoline prices and alcohol consumption are stronger on drunk-driving crashes than on all crashes. The findings do not vary much across different demographic groups. Overall, gasoline prices have greater effects on less severe crashes and alcohol consumption has greater effects on more severe crashes.

Fuel Prices and Road Deaths in Australia

“…Most prior studies are for the United States [US] (e.g. Leigh & Wilkinson, ; Haughton & Sarkar, ; Grabowski & Morrisey, , ; Chi et al ., , , , ,b, ; Montour, ; Morrisey & Grabowski, ; Ahangari et al ., ). The consensus from these US studies is that higher fuel prices tend to lead to fewer overall road deaths.…”

Acceptance of drinking and driving and alcohol-involved driving crashes in California

“…For some people, benefits associated with drinking alcohol outside the home may far outweigh any perceived risk of drinking and driving. While those with lower educational attainment and minorities are more likely to drink and drive and to be arrested for drinking and driving (Dunaway, Will & Sabo, 2011; Gruenewald, Mitchell & Treno, 1996), many differences in this type of alcohol problem can be attributed to differences in alcohol consumption patterns and drinking location preferences (Bergen, Shults, Beck, & Qayad, 2012; Birdsall, Reed, Huq, Wheeler & Rush, 2012; Chia et al, 2011; Dunaway, Will & Sabo, 2011; Gruenewald, Mitchell & Treno, 1996; Grunewald, Johnson & Treno, 2002). …”

Gasoline Prices and Road Fatalities: International Evidence

“…By reducing congestion, higher gasoline prices can allow remaining drivers to travel at faster speeds (Burger and Kaffine 2009), which increases the risk of fatal crashes. 2 Existing evidence for the United States indicates that higher gasoline prices reduce road fatalities and/or crashes (Chi, McClure, and Brown 2012;Chi et al 2010Chi et al , 2011Chi et al , 2013aChi et al , 2013bMorrisey 2004, 2006;Haughton and Sarkar 1996;Leigh and Wilkinson 1991;Montour 2011;Sivak 2009). 2 Existing evidence for the United States indicates that higher gasoline prices reduce road fatalities and/or crashes (Chi, McClure, and Brown 2012;Chi et al 2010Chi et al , 2011Chi et al , 2013aChi et al , 2013bMorrisey 2004, 2006;Haughton and Sarkar 1996;Leigh and Wilkinson 1991;Montour 2011;Sivak 2009).…”

“…Substitution to particularly risky types of fuel-efficient vehicles, such as motorcycles, may also cause additional road deaths when gasoline prices rise (Hyatt et al 2009;Wilson, Stimpson, and Hilsenrath 2009). 2 Existing evidence for the United States indicates that higher gasoline prices reduce road fatalities and/or crashes (Chi, McClure, and Brown 2012;Chi et al 2010Chi et al , 2011Chi et al , 2013aChi et al , 2013bMorrisey 2004, 2006;Haughton and Sarkar 1996;Leigh and Wilkinson 1991;Montour 2011;Sivak 2009). As for gasoline demand itself, the response of road deaths to gasoline prices in the United States is inelastic.…”