Highlights Milder penalty measures can reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes. Harsher penalty measures are more efficient for the prevention of fatalities. Diversification of consumed alcoholic beverages reduces the number of crashes. The reduction of high-content-alcoholic beverages is required to prevent fatalities. Control of endogeneity helps to discover true determinants of crashes and deaths.
Abstract Introduction: This article addresses the impact of policy measures on the number of alcohol-related crashes and fatalities in European Union countries. In particular, it assesses (1) whether mild or severe penalty measures should be used to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities caused by alcohol; and (2) whether alcoholic beverages should be treated differently or proportionally to their alcohol content. Methods: This study analyzed the number of alcohol-related crashes and fatalities in 24 European Union countries between 2002 and 2014. The methodology involved fixed-effects panel models, models with instrumental variables, the Hausman–Taylor model, and seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR). SUR improve the results of coefficient estimates when the data are not complete. Results: The results of the SUR indicated that vehicle impoundment, community service, and alcolocks correlate with lower crashes, while detention correlates with lower fatalities. Furthermore, a higher alcohol content in beverages is positively associated with fatalities and negatively associated with the number of crashes. Conclusions: Mild and harsh measures for preventing alcohol-related crashes and fatalities differ in effectiveness; therefore, they should be used simultaneously. Blood alcohol concentration limits were found to be an ineffective tool for preventing crashes and fatalities under the influence of alcohol. Practical implications: The regulatory restrictions on different types of alcohol should be stricter for hard alcohol (especially spirits) and lower for low-alcohol beverages, such as beer, if fewer fatalities are preferred to fewer crashes.
The effectiveness of regulations preventing alcohol-related road traffic crashes and fatalities in the European Union countries
Journal of Safety Research ; 88 ; 161-173
2023-11-07
13 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English