The effect of MADD on drinking–driving activities: an empirical study

Since its establishment in 1980, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) has been instrumental in directing our nation's attention to the problems associated with drinking and driving activities. Through its legislative lobbying efforts, educational and victim support activities, MADD strives to increase the expected costs and reduce the expected benefits of driving under the influence of alcohol. The object of this paper is to develop and estimate a model which assesses the consequences of MADD's efforts on the incidence of drinking and driving. Using extensive data collected in California, a simultaneous equations model is estimated. The results suggest that MADD does have a deterrent effect upon the incidence of alcohol related accidents. Moreover, the effect is found to be stronger for alcohol related accidents with a non-fatal injury relative to those with a fatality.