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Per Se Drugged Driving Laws and Traffic Fatalities

Author

Listed:
  • Anderson, D. Mark

    (Montana State University)

  • Rees, Daniel I.

    (Universidad Carlos III de Madrid)

Abstract

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) recently announced a goal of reducing drugged driving by 10 percent within three years. In an effort to achieve this goal, ONDCP is encouraging all states to adopt per se drugged driving laws, which make it illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a controlled substance in the system. To date, 16 states have passed per se drugged driving laws, yet little is known about their effectiveness. The current study examines the relationship between these laws and traffic fatalities, the leading cause of death among Americans ages 5 through 34. Our results provide no evidence that per se drugged driving laws reduce traffic fatalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Anderson, D. Mark & Rees, Daniel I., 2012. "Per Se Drugged Driving Laws and Traffic Fatalities," IZA Discussion Papers 7048, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7048
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    1. Ozgur M. Araz & Fernando A. Wilson & Jim P. Stimpson, 2020. "Complex systems modeling for evaluating potential impact of traffic safety policies: a case on drug-involved fatal crashes," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 291(1), pages 37-58, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    drugged driving; per se laws; traffic fatalities; marijuana;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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