Working Paper: NBER ID: w15872
Authors: C. Kirabo Jackson; Emily Greene Owens
Abstract: We exploit arguably exogenous train schedule changes in Washington DC to investigate the relationship between public transportation provision, the risky decision to consume alcohol, and the criminal decision to engage in alcohol-impaired driving. Using a triple differences strategy, we provide evidence that overall there was little effect on DUI arrests, alcohol related fatal traffic and alcohol related arrests. However, we find that these overall effects mask considerable heterogeneity across geographic areas and spatial shifting. Specifically, we find that areas close to bars that are within walking distance to Metro stations experience increases in alcohol related arrests and decreases in DUI arrests.
Keywords: Public Transportation; Alcohol Consumption; DUI; Intoxicated Driving
JEL Codes: I18; R49
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| public transportation provision (L91) | alcohol consumption (L66) |
| public transportation provision (L91) | DUI incidents (R48) |
| proximity to bars and metro stations (R53) | alcohol-related arrests (K42) |
| proximity to bars and metro stations (R53) | DUI arrests (R48) |
| increase in alcohol-related arrests (H76) | excessive drinking outside the home (H76) |
| public transportation availability (L91) | moral hazard effect (G52) |
| behavioral changes among drinkers (D91) | alcohol consumption (L66) |