There is excellent recent (last 10y) research on this; summary here: https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/five-things-about-deterrence https://nij.ojp.gov/topics

There is excellent recent (last 10y) research on this; summary here: https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/five-things-about-deterrence https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/five-things-about-deterr... Unfortunately, the US and many other countries have chosen the other path (sporadic enforcement with severe punishment) largely because it's easier to implement. There's a lot of momentum to change this but it's politically difficult at least in America.