Though the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily eliminated road traffic in the spring of 2020, those empty roads are now a thing of the past. People who hadn't been behind the wheel regularly since early spring of 2020 have rejoined the ranks of commuters in 2022, leading to a 4.5% increase in cumulative travel over the previous year.
With more cars come more dangerous driving conditions. Luckily, there are several things you can do to protect yourself and your passengers when you hit the road for work or for leisure.
Dangerous Post-Pandemic Driving Conditions
If you're feeling the frustration of the extra traffic, you're not alone! According to the Federal Highway Administration, the number of cars on the road in March 2022 surpassed traffic volume in 2019. That's an all-time high number of vehicles to keep an eye on.
Not surprisingly, more driving means more accidents — and more fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that nearly 43,000 people died in traffic accidents in 2021. That's a 10.5% increase over the previous year and marks the highest number of road deaths in 16 years. Medical professionals attribute the spike in deaths to four main causes: speed, impairment, distraction, and fatigue. They also point out that COVID-driven anxiety aggravates these causes.
Tips to Help Drivers Stay Safe in the New Normal
Now that the country has fully reopened and many commuters are heading back to work in person, it's more important than ever to drive carefully. Follow these tips to feel more comfortable behind the wheel as you get back to your normal driving routine.
If possible, travel during daylight hours. There are fewer hours of daylight in the winter, so it can be easy to forget that you have a smaller window of time when visibility is at its best.
Before a long trip, get your car serviced. Have your mechanic change your oil and check the lights, fluid levels, and tires. A broken tie rod or bad ball joint could directly contribute to losing control of your vehicle when traveling at high speeds.
Add 20% extra travel time to your commute. Now that there's more traffic again, you'll need extra time to arrive at your destination, and having a buffer will help you stay calm and avoid speeding. Using a travel app can help you understand how long it should take you to get to your destination. It'll also help you avoid road closures and traffic problems.
If you get stuck driving in snow or sleet, slow down. Even if you have all-wheel drive, it's smart to reduce your speed so you can maneuver without losing control of your vehicle.
Never drive tired. Drowsy driving decreases your response time, and fatigue can contribute to the short tempers that cause road rage. Consider a ride share if it's past your bedtime.
Be on the lookout for angry drivers. Avoid them by slowing down, or simply get out of their way. There's no winner in these scenarios, so never engage with an enraged driver. It's best to let the incident go and stay safe.
If you aren't already a confident driver, consider taking a defensive driving course. This class can help you brush up on your skills and avoid accidents, even when the drivers around you aren't behaving well. For many drivers, a tune-up is well worth the effort after a COVID-19 driving hiatus, and your insurance company may even give you a discount when the course is complete.
Updated 11/28/22
