Influence of alcohol policy on the dynamics of road accidents in Russian regions
The paper estimates an influence of government alcohol policies on the road accidents dynamics in Russian regions. The research was based on the regional data provided by Rosstat, for years 2001-2013. The sample included 962 observation units from 74 regions of the Russian Federation. Alcohol deterrence measures under review included temporal bans on alcohol sales and price instruments (increase in alcohol prices due to excise taxes for spirits and floor price for vodka). Among other controlled for variables were population density, unemployment, number of automobiles per person in a region. The authors also differentiated between the regions with developed illegal alcohol markets and those where illegal alcohol trade was not widespread. To do so, the authors used the number of audits by authorized bodies that revealed law infringements in alcohol production or trade. Econometric analysis revealed a favorable influence of temporal bans on the number of road accidents. In addition it was proved that in the regions with strict control over illicit trafficking of alcohol the number of traffic accidents decreased as a result of reducing the permitted alcohol trading hours. The number of accidents in a region is negatively correlated with unemployment level and population density. At the same time, the presented data does not show definite correlation between price mechanisms and the number of road accidents in Russian regions.