Shaping the Habits of Teen Drivers
Teens are risky drivers and often subject to extra restrictions. We examine the effects of an Australian intervention banning first-year drivers from carrying multiple passengers between 11:00pm and 4:59am, which had represented 3% of their accidents and 18% of their fatalities. Using daytime outcomes to account for counterfactual crash risks, we find the reform more than halves targeted crashes, casualties and deaths. The restriction also lowers crashes earlier in the evening and beyond the first year, suggesting it has broad and persistent effects on driving behavior. Overall, this targeted intervention delivers gains comparable to harsher restrictions that delay teen driving.
Non-Technical Summaries
- A ban on late night and early morning driving by first-year drivers reduced crashes and fatalities, and had ongoing benefits in later...
Published Versions
Timothy J. Moore & Todd Morris, 2024. "Shaping the Habits of Teen Drivers," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, vol 16(3), pages 367-393.