This paper investigates the costs and benefits of two us government safety compliance programmes, aimed at the American interstate road freight industry. In the SR/CR programme inspectors made safety review (SR) visits to the operating bases of firms, concerning safety-related policies and procedures, such as those for maintenance and driver hiring and training. The second programme is a system of roadside vehicle inspections, with extensive federal funding. The paper calculates the annual benefits and costs of direct and deterrence effects, at 1992 costs, arising from the two programmes. Direct benefits include accident reductions from safety audits and roadside inspections. Costs include accident costs, inspection costs, and costs of improved operating quality.
Abstract