Question

In the past few weeks we have learned that the number of miles driven has fallen due to people staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Insurers are offering auto insurance rebates to policyholders due to the decrease in number of miles driven. New research however indicates that this does not tell the entire driving story.

1. Although miles driven and traffic congestion are falling, both the accident rate and severity of accidents seems to be rising. Please explain what’s happening and why.  

What can be done to improve safety? Is it time to act to address this issue?

Answer 1

While the no of miles driven and the no of automobiles on the road could have drastically fallen due to the coronavirus epidemic, it is possible that the severity of accidents that require insurance to provide cover, could still be continue to be significant due to several reasons.

1. The incidents of rash driving could have gone up (lesser checking, lesser vehicles and traffic jams in the roads, leading to false confidence and an opportunity to drive recklessly)

2. Lesser police available to stop and prevent accidents, to do DUI stops etc, since corona virus epidemic places a strain on the availability of policemen and public staff for enforcing lockdown, for protection, and duty at hospitals and hotspots.

3. Once an accident happens , lesser drivers and public around to notice the accident and provide aid, to call ambulances etc.

4. Even once admitted, the emergency wards could be brimming with Covid patients and there could be less healthcare professionals available to handle accidents at this time of pandemic.

Hence to improve safety and to prevent such rash accidents happening , the following public measures can be taken:

1. Avoiding over-speeding and following speed limits.

2. Heavier penalties for not wearing seat belts and child restraints .

3. Stricter enforcement of laws during DUI stops.

4. Higher controls in place to prevent such accdients, discouraging public from speeding, enforcing speed limits in state and country highways.