title: A radical change in traffic law: effects on fatalities in the Czech Republic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examines short- and long-run effects of a new-stricter-road traffic law on traffic accident-related fatalities in the Czech Republic. The law introduced tougher punishments through the introduction of a demerit point system and a manifold increase in fines, together with augmented authority of traffic police.
  
  
  METHODS
  Identification is based on difference-in-differences methodology, with neighbouring countries serving as a control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a sharp, 33.3%, decrease in accident-related fatalities during the first three post-reform months. This translates into 127 saved lives (95% confidence interval: 51, 204). The decline was, however, temporary; the estimates of the effects going beyond the first year are around zero. Unique data on traffic police activity reveal that police resources devoted to traffic law enforcement gradually declined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tougher penalties have significant, but often short-lived effects. Weaker enforcement in the aftermath of such reforms may explain the absence of long-run effects.
authors: CERGE-EI, Centre for Economic Research and Graduate Education-Economics Institute, a Joint Workplace of Charles University in Prague and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Politických vězňů 7, 111 21 Praha 1, Czech Republic Faculty of Business and Economics, Mendel University, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Montag
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement; D018986:Motor Vehicles / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D016495:Police; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012926:Social Control, Formal / Q000379:methods*
keywords: government and law; public health; transport