Cost-effectiveness of regulations against using a cellular telephone while driving (see comments)

摘要

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of regulations that prohibit using a cellular telephone while driving a motor vehicle. DESIGN: Decision analysis of risks and benefits related to cellular telephones and driving. SETTING: United States population in 1997. MEASURES: Health benefits measured as the quality-adjusted life years potentially saved. Financial benefits measured as health care and other services potentially averted. Costs of regulation measured as the lost productivity derived from willingness to pay for cellular telephone calls. RESULTS: Under base-case conditions, cellular telephone calls in the United States each day accounted for about 984 reported collisions, 1,729 total collisions, 2 deaths, 317 persons with injuries, 99 lost years of life expectancy, 161 lost quality-adjusted life years,