Can cars and trucks coexist peacefully on highways? Analyzing the effectiveness of road safety policies in Europe

Abstract

We examine the impact on the traffic accident rate of the interaction between trucks and cars on Europe's roads using a panel data set that covers the period 1999-2010. We find that rising motorization rates for trucks lead to higher traffic fatalities, while rising motorization rates for cars do not. Empirically, the model we build predicts the positive impact of stricter speed limit legislation for trucks in the reduction of road fatalities. These findings lend support to European strategies and aimed at promoting alternative modes of freight transport, including rail and maritime transport.

Keywords: Blood alcohol concentration; Europe; Road fatalities; Speed limits; Trucks.