Slippery When Wet: The Effects of Local Alcohol Access Laws on Highway Safety

Center for Policy Research Working Paper No. 31

31 Pages Posted: 14 Apr 2011

See all articles by Reagan Anne Baughman

Reagan Anne Baughman

University of New Hampshire - Department of Economics

Michael Conlin

Michigan State University - Department of Economics

Stacy Dickert-Conlin

Michigan State University

John V. Pepper

University of Virginia - Department of Economics

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: October 1, 2000

Abstract

This paper examines 237 instances of policy changes related to alcohol sales and consumption enacted in Texas communities between 1975 and 1996 to determine their effect on the incidence of alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. These policies are categorized by location where the alcohol is consumed after sale (on the premises or off) and the type of alcohol available for consumption (beer and wine or hard liquor). After controlling for both county and year fixed effects, we find evidence that: (i) the sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises (in bars and restaurants) is associated with a sizeable increase in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents, (ii) the sale of alcohol (in liquor stores) for consumption off the premises may actually decrease expected accidents, and (iii) the sale of higher proof alcohol (hard liquor) presents greater risk to highway safety.

JEL Classification: J28, K32

Suggested Citation

Baughman, Reagan Anne and Conlin, Michael and Dickert-Conlin, Stacy and Pepper, John V., Slippery When Wet: The Effects of Local Alcohol Access Laws on Highway Safety (October 1, 2000). Center for Policy Research Working Paper No. 31, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1808175 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1808175

Reagan Anne Baughman (Contact Author)

University of New Hampshire - Department of Economics ( email )

Durham, NH 03824
United States

Michael Conlin

Michigan State University - Department of Economics ( email )

East Lansing, MI 48824
United States

Stacy Dickert-Conlin

Michigan State University ( email )

Agriculture Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824-1122
United States

John V. Pepper

University of Virginia - Department of Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 400182
114 Rouss Hall
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4182
United States
804-924-3402 (Phone)
804-982-2904 (Fax)

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