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Penalties for speeding and their effect on moving violations: Evidence from Quebec drivers

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  • Vincent Chandler
  • Lealand Morin
  • Jeffrey Penney

Abstract

In 2008, the province of Quebec drastically increased penalties for speeding well above the speed limit by doubling fines and instituting on‐the‐spot licence suspension. Using administrative driving and licensing records in Quebec from 2006 to 2010, we examine whether the new law discouraged unlawful driving behaviour by investigating the frequency with which motorists received traffic citations. We find that the new law was effective in deterring motorists from speeding. Moreover, the effect was most pronounced for males compared with females, for young compared with old, and especially so for drivers with high demerit point balances accumulated from past infractions compared with those with few or no tickets. In sum, the change in behaviour was most apparent for those drivers who were the intended targets for the legislation. Amendes pour excès de vitesse et effet sur les infractions relatives à la conduite d'un véhicule : données probantes sur les conducteurs québécois. En 2008, la province de Québec a fortement augmenté les amendes pour excès de vitesse dépassant largement la limite de vitesse en doublant les amendes et en instaurant la suspension immédiate du permis. À l'aide des dossiers de conducteur et de permis administratifs au Québec entre 2006 et 2010, nous examinons si la nouvelle loi a découragé les comportements illégaux en matière de conduite en évaluant la fréquence à laquelle les conducteurs ont reçu des infractions au Code de la sécurité routière. Nous constatons que la nouvelle loi a efficacement découragé les conducteurs à conduire trop vite. En outre, l'effet a été plus prononcé chez les hommes que chez les femmes, chez les jeunes que chez les plus âgés, et surtout chez les conducteurs ayant accumulé un nombre élevé de points d'inaptitude en raison d'infractions antérieures comparativement à ceux ayant reçu moins d'amendes ou aucune amende. En résumé, le changement de comportement a été plus apparent chez les conducteurs qui étaient visés par la loi.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincent Chandler & Lealand Morin & Jeffrey Penney, 2023. "Penalties for speeding and their effect on moving violations: Evidence from Quebec drivers," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 56(1), pages 225-246, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:56:y:2023:i:1:p:225-246
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12634
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