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Fuel Economy and Safety: The Influences of Vehicle Class and Driver Behavior

Author

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  • Mark R. Jacobsen

Abstract

Fuel economy standards change the composition of the vehicle fleet, influencing accident safety. The direction and size of the effect depend on the combination of vehicles in the fleet. I provide empirical estimates of vehicle safety across classes, accounting for unobserved driving behavior and selection. I apply the model to the present structure of US fuel economy standards, accounting for shifts in the composition of vehicle ownership, and estimate an adverse safety effect of 33 cents per gallon of gasoline saved. I show how two alternative regulatory provisions fully offset this effect, producing a nearzero change in accident fatalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark R. Jacobsen, 2013. "Fuel Economy and Safety: The Influences of Vehicle Class and Driver Behavior," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 5(3), pages 1-26, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:5:y:2013:i:3:p:1-26
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/app.5.3.1
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • L51 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Economics of Regulation
    • L62 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Automobiles; Other Transportation Equipment; Related Parts and Equipment
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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    1. Fuel Economy and Safety: The Influences of Vehicle Class and Driver Behavior (American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 2013) in ReplicationWiki

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