Abstract In this paper, we try to understand the impact of a traffic convention, rule of the road, on road fatality rate in Africa. Using the country level panel data on road fatality rates provided by World Health Organization, we try to find whether left side driving rule has any differential causal impact on road fatalities. To address issues related to endogeneity, we instrument ‘Left Side Driving Rule’ with the measure for ‘British Colonization’. Our estimates suggest that the left side driving rule results in lesser road fatalities when compared to the right side driving rule. The illegal usage of ‘Right Hand Drive’ vehicles in right side driving countries and functional superiority of left side driving rule are the potential channels causing this effect. With Africa bearing the highest ‘disease burden’ of traffic fatalities in the world, our research provides a preliminary empirical insight into the role that ‘rule of the road’ traffic convention can play in this regard.
Highlights Empirical analysis of the impact of driving side practice on road fatalities in Africa. Used Instrument variable design to study the causal impact of left side driving rule. Analysis based on 4-year country level panel data for 54 African nations. Results suggest that left side driving rule causes lesser road fatalities. Possible channels: Functional superiority of the rule and illegal ‘hand’ vehicles.
When left is ‘right’! The impact of driving-side practice on road fatalities in Africa
Transport Policy ; 114 ; 225-232
2021-10-06
8 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Driving side , Left hand traffic , Road fatalities , Rule of the road , Africa , I18 , N77 , R41 , R48
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