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Drug Decriminalization and Fatal Traffic Crashes: Evidence From BM110 in Oregon

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  • Christian Gunadi
  • Yuyan Shi

Abstract

Oregon Ballot Measure 110 (BM 110) reduced the penalties for non‐commercial possession of a controlled substance, downgrading them from a felony or misdemeanor to a new Class E violation, punishable by a maximum $100 fine. In this paper, we investigate whether BM 110 was associated with changes in drug‐related fatal traffic crashes in Oregon after its implementation in February 2021. To do so, we used Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data from 2018 to 2021 to calculate population‐adjusted state‐level drug‐related fatal traffic crashes. We also employed a modified synthetic control method to create a “synthetic” Oregon, designed to closely resemble the state's pre‐policy sociodemographic characteristics and outcome trends while correcting for time‐invariant pre‐policy differences. The findings show that BM 110 was not associated with changes in drug‐related fatal traffic crashes per 100,000 population (0.114, 95% CI: −0.106, 0.334). These results suggest that the implementation of BM 110 did not change drug‐related fatal traffic crashes in Oregon in the early period following its adoption.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Gunadi & Yuyan Shi, 2025. "Drug Decriminalization and Fatal Traffic Crashes: Evidence From BM110 in Oregon," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(5), pages 815-820, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:34:y:2025:i:5:p:815-820
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4944
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