Coronavirus disease 2019: What could be the effects on Road safety?

Abstract

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. Countries introduced public health measures to contain and reduce its spread. These measures included closures of educational institutions, non-essential businesses, events and activities, as well as working from and staying at home requirements. These measures have led to an economic downturn of unprecedented proportions. Generally, as economic activity declines, travel decreases and drivers are exposed to a lower risk of collisions. However, research on previous economic downturns suggests economic downturns differentially affect driver behaviours and situations. COVID-19 pandemic effects on road safety are currently unknown. However, preliminary information on factors such as the increased stress and anxiety brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, more "free" (idle) time, increased consumption of alcohol and drugs, and greater opportunities for speeding and stunt driving, might well have the opposite effect on road safety. Using an interactionist model we identify research questions for researchers to consider on potential person and situation factors associated with COVID-19 that could affect road safety during and after the pandemic. Collaborative efforts by researchers, and public and private sectors will be needed to gather data and develop road safety strategies in relation to the new reality of COVID-19. Health Organization, 2020). By March 2020, the WHO had declared COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic with 216 countries, areas or territories showing 10,719,646 cases and 517,337 deaths combined as of July 2, 2020 (World Health Organization, 2020). This pandemic led to a series of worldwide public health measures to contain and reduce its spread. In many countries the measures included physical distancing measures, such as the "lockdown" of educational institutions, restaurants, bars, retail and other non-essential businesses, banning public events, such as sporting events, concerts, theatre shows and encouraging or requiring teleworking from home

A descriptive analysis of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on driving behavior and road safety

“…It is important to highlight that ethnic minorities, older or employed adolescents and teens with lower prosocial tendencies appeared to be less likely to reduce their driving behavior. Recent researches have also found that especially young male drivers were more willing to exceed the speed limit and the frequency of such exceedances was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic ( Vingilis et al, 2020 ).…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Movement Restrictions on the Road Traffic in the Czech Republic during the State of Emergency

“…e impact of COVID-19 has also been studied from the perspective of traffic safety. A number of negative trends in driving behaviors have been estimated, including more frequent speeding and stunt driving due to the larger amount of free time some people might generally experience [33]. Interestingly, studies that emerge within this domain have started bringing initial evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic may also promote driving more in certain groups of citizens not only due to leisure activities.…”

Mandated societal lockdown and road traffic accidents

“…Vos (2020) speculated that during mandated societal lockdown, people might be more inclined to perform activities at home which would result in less car traffic and less congestion during peak hours. Vingilis et al (2020) postulated that the adverse economic consequences of COVID-19 may improve road safety by reductions in vehicle kilometers travelled, number of higher risk drivers on roads; and travel for entertainment and leisure activities. Stavrinos et al (2020) found a 37 % reduction in driving days per week and 35 % reduction in vehicle miles driven among adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Furthermore, there was no change in volume of heavy vehicle traffic and the volume may have increased to meet the supply needs ( What are the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our transport systems, 2020 ). Speeding and stunt driving may also have increased during COVID-19 pandemic ( Vingilis et al, 2020 ).…”