ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ALCOHOL SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES

This paper discusses a 10-month study performed for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The purpose of the study was to conduct a detailed benefit-cost analysis of seven alcohol safety countermeasures. This analysis determined the potential for successful implementation of each countermeasure in terms of the estimated cost-effectiveness and provided base-line information for research funds allocated for the development of countermeasures. The countermeasures analyzed were the sober pill, self-tester, evidential roadside tester, noncooperative breath tester, alcohol safety interlock system, continuous monitoring device, and operating-time recorder. A set of benefit/cost ratios was calculated for each countermeasure. Sensitivity analyses were performed on the crucial assumptions and key elements of costs and benefits to test their impact on the benefit/cost ratios. The potential for successful application of each countermeasure was assessed on the basis of the benefit/cost ratios and social, technological, and legal feasibility. All seven countermeasures are either in the conceptual or the experimental testing stages of development. Due to the paucity of reliable data, the findings of the analysis focused on the requirements for economic feasibility (a benefit/cost ratio in excess of 1) rather than indivudual feasibility. The values for critical parameters were determined and used to find the cost-effectiveness for each countermeasure. Specific recommendations for each countermeasure are made regarding further research. /Author/

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1976/609/609-004.pdf
• Summary URL:
  http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=ECONOMIC+ANALYSIS+OF+ALCOHOL+SAFETY+COUNTERMEASURES&author=W.+Moore&publication_year=1976
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Traffic Law Enforcement. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Moore, William Shepherd
• Publication Date: 1976

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 18-23
• Monograph Title: Highway safety, traffic records, and law enforcement
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 609
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol breath tests; Alcohols; Benefit cost analysis; Cost effectiveness; Countermeasures; Economic analysis; Ignition seat belt interlocks; Implementation; Monitoring; Testing
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00157801
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309025842
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 28 1977 12:00AM