Citation

Deza M. Econ. Hum. Biol. 2019; 35: 51-62.

Affiliation

Department of Economics, City University of New York, Hunter College, United States. Electronic address: monica.deza@hunter.cuny.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ehb.2019.03.005

PMID

31071596

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effect of implementing nighttime driving curfews and passenger restrictions mandated by graduated driver licensing (GDL) on teen fertility. Both components of GDL potentially restrict the freedom and mobility of minor drivers by requiring adult supervision, and therefore reduces opportunities to become pregnant. Using birth data from the National Vital Statistics (NVSS) and a triple differences approach, I find that the implementation of "tough" GDL decreased fertility by 3-4% among mothers between the ages of 16 and 18. This effect is driven by the states that require driving curfews for at least a year before teenagers can obtain their unrestricted drivers license.

Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Language: en

Keywords

Fertility; Graduated driver licensing; Risky health behaviors; Risky sex; Teen pregnancy