Speeding through the pandemic: Perceptual and psychological factors associated with speeding during the COVID-19 stay-at-home period

Did the COVID-19 pandemic influence traffic fatalities in 2020? A presentation of first findings

“…The observed increases in speed certainly had a negative impact on the number of fatalities on British roads. This is in line with earlier results and expectations [ 4 and 5 ]. However, the ITF/IRTAD-report [ 32 ] also presents data from Denmark and the Netherlands.…”

“…It is also possible that increased levels of stress (due to the pandemic and/or economic recession) may have affected driving behaviour and crash risks. Similarly, drivers were foreseen to increase speeds [ 4 ] and hence speed-related crashes due to less traffic on the roads were also expected to increase [ 5 ]. Increased levels of impaired driving (alcohol, drugs) could have resulted in more crashes and casualties.…”

What's new in critical illness and injury science? Driving characteristics and rates of road traffic accidents and associated serious injuries and fatalities during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…[ 1 2 3 4 5 ] While survey-based analyses have reported that prevailing public perceptions are that roads became safer and driving behaviors improved during periods of mobility restriction,[ 6 7 ] expert opinion and objective data suggest a more nuanced and possibly conflicting reality. [ 2 7 8 ]…”

“…While self-reported data on speeds indicate a reduction in speeding,[ 9 ] objective data obtained from phone applications and other sources indicate an increase in driving speeds and extreme speeding. [ 2 8 ] Similarly, while self-reported rates of mobile phone usage while driving reportedly decreased during COVID-19 restrictions,[ 9 ] objective data note an increase in mobile phone use and harsh acceleration and braking events. [ 2 ]…”

“…Indeed, significant heterogeneity has been noted in study outcomes by age, gender, ethnicity, geography, and driving behaviors such as speeding, aggressive driving, and distracted driving. [ 2 8 9 18 20 21 ] In addition, RTAs involving wildlife increased during lockdown periods. [ 4 ] Future investigations should take such variables into account during the analyses and report data controlled for variables such as traffic volume along with the summative overall trends to better inform the public and policymakers.…”