Graduated driver licensing laws and teen abortion
Date
2021-07
Authors
Bernad, Mariana
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Rossi, Martín A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universidad de San Andrés. Departamento de Economía
Abstract
I exploit the implementation of state Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws in the
U.S. to study the impact of increased restrictions on teen abortion rates. GDL laws introduce
an intermediate phase in which first-time drivers between 15 and 17 years of age are
subjected to increased parental supervision, nighttime curfews, and passenger restrictions
prior to obtaining an unrestricted driver's license. Using a triple differences approach, this
study finds that following the implementation of GDL, abortion rates among teenagers decreased
by 3%. The effect is stronger in states where the nighttime curfew begins before
11 pm, with abortion rates dropping 14% relative to states with later curfews. I find no
differential effect in states where the intermediate license phase lasts a longer period.
Description
Fil: Bernad, Mariana. Universidad de San Andrés. Departamento de Economía; Argentina.