The Impact of 9/11 on Road Fatalities: The Other Lives Lost to Terrorism

20 Pages Posted: 18 Mar 2005

See all articles by Garrick Blalock

Garrick Blalock

Cornell University - School of Applied Economics and Management

Vrinda Kadiyali

Cornell University - Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management

Daniel H. Simon

Indiana University Bloomington - O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

Date Written: February 10, 2005

Abstract

We find that driving fatalities increased significantly following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, an event which prompted many travelers to substitute less-safe surface transportation for safer air transportation. After controlling for time trends, weather, road conditions, and other factors, we attribute an increase of 242 driving fatalities per month to additional road travel undertaken in response to 9/11. In total, our results suggest that at least 1,200 additional driving deaths are attributable to the effect of 9/11. We also provide evidence that is consistent with the 9/11 effect on road fatalities weakening over time as drivers return to flying. Our results show that the public response to terrorist threats can create unintended consequences that rival the attacks themselves in severity.

Keywords: security, terrorism, road and air travel

JEL Classification: H56, L92, L93

Suggested Citation

Blalock, Garrick and Kadiyali, Vrinda and Simon, Daniel H., The Impact of 9/11 on Road Fatalities: The Other Lives Lost to Terrorism (February 10, 2005). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=677549 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.677549

Garrick Blalock

Cornell University - School of Applied Economics and Management ( email )

248 Warren Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
United States

Vrinda Kadiyali

Cornell University - Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management ( email )

Ithaca, NY 14853
United States
607-255-1985 (Phone)
607-254-4590 (Fax)

Daniel H. Simon (Contact Author)

Indiana University Bloomington - O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs ( email )

1315 East Tenth Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
United States

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