Author： Loeb Peter Clarke William Anderson Richard
Publisher： Routledge Ltd
ISSN： 1466-4283
Source： Applied Economics, Vol.41, Iss.22, 2009-10, pp. : 2905-2914
Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.
Abstract
This article develops a set of models for the determinants of automobile fatalities with particular attention devoted to the effects of increased cell phone usage. Cell phones have been associated with both life taking and life-saving properties. However, prior statistical evaluations of the effects of cell phones have led to fragile results. We develop in this article econometric models using time-series data, allowing for polynomial structures of the regressors. The models are evaluated with a set of specification error tests providing reliable estimates of the effects of the various policy and driving-related variables evaluated. The statistical results indicate the effect of cell phones is nonmonotonic depending on the volume of phones in use, first having a net life-taking effect, then a net life-saving effect, followed finally with a net life-taking effect as the volume of phone use increases.
Related content
Production and costs in the South African motor vehicle industry
By Truett Lila J. Truett Dale B.
Applied Economics, Vol. 38, Iss. 20, 2006-11 ,pp. :
Access to resources
Recommend
Bring-Your-Own-Device: Turning Cell Phones into Forces for Good
The Journal of Economic Education, Vol. 45, Iss. 3, 2014-07 ,pp. :
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND VEHICLE SAFETY: THE IMPACT OF GASOLINE TAXES
ECONOMIC INQUIRY, Vol. 53, Iss. 3, 2015-07 ,pp. :