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Pollution or Crime: The Effect of Driving Restrictions on Criminal Activity

Author

Listed:
  • Paul E. Carrillo

    (George Washington University)

  • Andrea Lopez

    (George Washington University)

  • Arun Malik

    (George Washington University)

Abstract

Driving restriction programs have been implemented in many cities around the world to alleviate pollution and congestion problems. Enforcement of such programs is costly and can potentially displace policing resources used for crime prevention and crime detection. Hence, driving restrictions may increase crime. To test this hypothesis, this paper exploits both temporal and spatial variation in the implementation of Quito, Ecuador's Pico y Placa program and evaluates its effect on crime. Both difference-in-difference and spatial regression discontinuity estimates provide credible evidence that driving restrictions can increase crime rates.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Paul E. Carrillo & Andrea Lopez & Arun Malik, 2016. "Pollution or Crime: The Effect of Driving Restrictions on Criminal Activity," Working Papers 2016-31, The George Washington University, Institute for International Economic Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:gwi:wpaper:2016-31
    as

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    File URL: http://www2.gwu.edu/~iiep/assets/docs/papers/2016WP/CarrilloIIEPWP2016-31.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Ling & Yang, Linchuan, 2023. "Effects of driving restrictions on air quality and housing prices: Evidence from Chengdu, China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    2. Salgado, Edgar & Mitnik, Oscar A., 2021. "Spatial and Time Spillovers of Driving Restrictions: Causal Evidence from Limas Pico y Placa Policy," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 11818, Inter-American Development Bank.
    3. Brasington, David M. & Parent, Olivier, 2024. "Fire protection services and house prices: A regression discontinuity investigation," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    4. Suchi Kapoor Malhotra & Howard White & Nina Ashley O. Dela Cruz & Ashrita Saran & John Eyers & Denny John & Ella Beveridge & Nina Blöndal, 2021. "Studies of the effectiveness of transport sector interventions in low‐ and middle‐income countries: An evidence and gap map," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(4), December.
    5. Han, Qing & Liu, Ying & Lu, Zilong, 2020. "Temporary driving restrictions, air pollution, and contemporaneous health: Evidence from China," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crime; Difference-in-Differences; Regression Discontinuity; Crime displace- ment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C20 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - General
    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • R28 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Government Policy
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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