Does news coverage of traffic crashes affect perceived blame and preferred solutions? Evidence from an experiment
* Even subtle differences in editorial patterns significantly affected readers’ attribution of blame and choice of punishment * Shifting from pedestrian-focused to driver-focused language reduced victim-blaming and increased perceived fault of the driver * A thematic frame significantly increased support for infrastructure improvements
Traffic crashes are one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. Nearly 20% of these roadway fatalities are people who were hi…
