Responsible options : empirical analyses on the effects of alternative transportation on drunk driving

This dissertation examines the impact of different types of alternative transportation options on rates of drunk driving. The first chapter explores the effect of ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft on fatal alcohol-related auto accidents and DUI/DWI arrests. This study uses a difference-in-differences methodology and the gradual expansion of ridesharing to cities across the U.S. to identify the impact of ridesharing. The second chapter estimates how the development and expansion of public rapid transit systems affects fatal alcohol-related auto accidents and DUI/DWI arrests. Utilizing the development of rapid transit systems since the mid-1970s this study applies difference-in-differences to estimate the causal effects on drunk driving measures. The third and final chapter utilizes unique data on the home addresses of individuals arrested for drunk driving to estimate the effect of late night bus service on drunk driving arrests in Austin, Texas. The causal effects are estimated using the differential availability of late-night bus service based on the day of the week and a difference-in-differences methodology based on whether or not individuals live within walking distance of late-night routes. These three studies can provide important evidence to policymakers in their efforts to curb drunk driving, a problem which kills over 10,000 people and causes over $50 billion in damage each year in the United States.