PORTLAND, Ore., – As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the country, fewer drivers were on the roads and there was a significant reduction in the number of miles driven. And yet, the U.S. had the highest number of fatal crashes for 2020 in more than a decade, as well as an increase in crashes involving impairment, speeding, red-light running, aggressiveness, and non-seatbelt use.
In order to try to understand the rise in dangerous driving behaviors, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety examined whether the pandemic changed the composition of drivers on the road. It found that while most drivers reduced their driving during the pandemic, a small proportion—about 4%—actually increased their driving, and they were younger and disproportionately male—a statistically riskier driver group than the average population.
Here’s the research brief. Find B-roll video here:
https://newsroom.aaa.com/asset/speed-limit-signs-broll/
https://newsroom.aaa.com/asset/red-light-running-b-roll-clip-3/
https://newsroom.aaa.com/asset/red-light-running-b-roll-clip-2/
“Our research finds that higher-risk motorists accounted for a greater share of drivers during the pandemic than before it,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “Safety-minded individuals drove less, while many who increased their driving tended to engage in riskier behaviors behind the wheel.”
In addition, those who increased their driving during the pandemic were more likely to report engaging in the following risky driving behaviors in the previous 30 days:
Percent of Drivers who Engaged in Various Risky Behaviors
in the 30 Days Before the Survey (October-November 2020)
| Behaviors in 30 Days Before Survey | People who Increased Driving During Pandemic | People who Did Not Increase Their Driving |
| Speeding 10+ mph over Speed Limit on a Residential Street | 51% | 35% |
| Reading a Text | 50% | 33% |
| Red-Light Running on Purpose | 45% | 25% |
| Changing Lanes Aggressively | 43% | 20% |
| Not Wearing a Seatbelt | 21% | 12% |
| Alcohol-Impaired Driving | 13% | 6% |
| Driving After Cannabis Use | 13% | 4% |
The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions have significantly affected travel behavior and traffic safety in the United States. According to the Foundation’s newest American Driving Survey, during the early months of the pandemic, the average daily number of driving trips made by U.S. adults decreased by an estimated 42% in April 2020, rebounded slightly, and then leveled off in the second half of 2020 at 2.2 daily trips, roughly 20% below the 2.7 daily trips in the second half of 2019.
And yet, when the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its 2020 traffic fatality data, it found 38,824 people died in vehicle crashes—the largest number of fatalities since 2007. This is an increase of 6.8% compared to the 36,355 deaths reported in 2019.
And the surge in fatalities continues, with NHTSA’s new data for traffic fatalities for the first nine months of 2021, finding that an estimated 31,720 people died in crashes from January through September 2021, an increase of approximately 12% compared to the first nine months of 2020.
The increase in traffic fatalities is not a worldwide occurrence. Road deaths have been reported to be lower in almost all other high-income countries since 2019.
“Fatal crashes continue to rise in the U.S. despite safer roads, safer vehicles and stronger traffic safety laws on the books, while other nations are seeing dramatic drops,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho. “AAA believes it will take new actions to get us closer to zero traffic deaths.”
AAA is a strong supporter of adopting The Safe System Approach (SSA) to roadway safety. The SSA uses current effective countermeasures to create multiple layers of protection for transportation network users, rather than responding reactively only after there is evidence of a specific safety problem. For example, the U.S. needs to use better methods to determine posted speed limits rather than more common and outdated approaches. Other countries have leveraged SSA to curb traffic deaths—47% (Australia) and 80% (Spain).
For drivers, AAA recommends these safety tips to keep in mind:
- Obey speed limits. Drivers tend to overestimate the time saved by speeding. You’d have to travel 100 miles to save roughly 5 minutes, moving at 80 mph instead of 75 mph. Speed kills and isn’t worth the cost. And recent AAA Foundation research shows that small speed increases were enough to raise a driver’s risk of severe injury or death.
- Only drive sober. If you’re impaired, don’t drive. And if you’re driving, don’t get impaired. Whether you’re consuming alcohol, marijuana, impairing prescription or over-the-counter medications, or other drugs, then just don’t get behind the wheel.
- Out of sight, out of mind. Stow your smartphone away, turn it to airplane mode, or activate call/text blocking features like Apple’s Do Not Disturb.
- Buckle Up. Properly wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of serious injury or death in a crash by up to 50 percent.
- Stay Cool. AAA encourages drivers to maintain a cool head and focus on reaching their destination safely. If you encounter a dangerous driver, maintain space around your vehicle and contact 9-1-1 if needed.
About AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Now celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Foundation for Traffic Safety was established in 1947 by AAA. The Foundation is a nonprofit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research develops educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.
About AAA
AAA provides more than 62 million members with automotive, travel, insurance, and financial services through its federation of 32 motor clubs and nearly 1,000 branch offices across North America. Since 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for safe mobility. Drivers can request roadside assistance, identify nearby gas prices, locate discounts, book a hotel or map a route via the AAA Mobile app. To join, visit AAA.com.
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