1. Correcting sample selection in FARS data to estimate seatbelt use
- Author
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Islam, Samia and Goetzke, Frank
- Subjects
- *
TRAFFIC fatalities , *AUTOMOBILE seat belts , *TRAFFIC safety , *CROSS-sectional method , *DATA analysis , *MOTOR vehicles , *BIASED selection (Insurance) - Abstract
Abstract: Introduction: In this paper, we show that FARS data can be a comparable alternative to observational NOPUS data in estimating seat belt use in the United States once we correct for sample selection bias. Results: Based on assumptions of independence for seatbelt choice, we establish a lower and upper bound for seatbelt usage rates, and find that once we correct for sample selection bias, the seatbelt usage estimates from the corrected FARS emerge at least as a comparable alternative to NOPUS estimates. Impact on Industry: This implies that researchers can use corrected FARS to complement NOPUS, thus being able to utilize the rich cross-sectional details available in FARS data to analyze various relevant research questions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2009
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