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The Effects of False Identification Laws with a Scanner Provision on Underage Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities

Author

Listed:
  • Erik Nesson

    (Department of Economics, Ball State University)

  • Vinish Shrestha

    (Department of Economics, Towson University)

Abstract

We examine the effects of policies aimed at restricting the use of false identification to purchase alcohol on traffic fatalities involving alcohol-impaired underage drivers. We find that the implementation of policies that incentivize alcohol retailers to adopt ID scanners reduces traffic fatalities from accidents involving 16-18 year old drivers with a BAC≥0.08, but we do not find that similar policies like vertical ID laws lead to statistically significant changes in traffic fatalities involving underage impaired drivers. A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests that if all remaining states passed ID scanner laws, the reduction in underage alcohol-related fatal accidents would generate nearly $730 million in annual economic benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik Nesson & Vinish Shrestha, 2016. "The Effects of False Identification Laws with a Scanner Provision on Underage Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities," Working Papers 2016-17, Towson University, Department of Economics, revised Apr 2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:tow:wpaper:2016-17
    as

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    File URL: http://webapps.towson.edu/cbe/economics/workingpapers/2016-17.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Underage alcohol consumption; Drunk driving; DWI; False ID laws; Scanner provision.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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