Obstructing Traffic During Traffic Accidents

Well Done! - A driver who slows down to watch a car accident scene is considering only his private benefit—satisfaction of curiosity—and his private cost—arriving late at his destination. A driver slows down when benefit exceeds cost.

That's Right! - The penalty increases a driver’s marginal cost of slowing down. Because a driver slows down only when marginal cost is less than or equal to marginal benefit, the penalty decreases the number of drivers who slow down to watch the accident.