Punishment and Deterrence: Evidence from Drunk Driving
利用断点回归设计，发现血液酒精浓度超过酒驾阈值会使再犯率降低2个百分点（17%），超过严重酒驾阈值则再降低1个百分点（9%），表明更严厉的惩罚能有效减少重复酒驾。
I test the effect of harsher punishments and sanctions on driving under the influence (DUI). In this setting, punishments are determined by strict rules on blood alcohol content (BAC) and previous offenses. Regression discontinuity derived estimates suggest that having a BAC above the DUI threshold reduces recidivism by up to 2 percentage points (17 percent). Likewise having a BAC over the aggravated DUI threshold reduces recidivism by an additional percentage point (9 percent). The results suggest that the additional sanctions experienced by drunk drivers at BAC thresholds are effective in reducing repeat drunk driving.