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How COVID-19 Has Changed Driving Habits

July 31, 2020
dhdlaw

The advent of COVID-19 has dramatically changed how people living in the U.S. drive. According to ZD-Net:

  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans have only spent an average of six minutes a day driving.
  • Over a quarter of U.S. drivers reported stopped driving entirely during the COVID-19 quarantine.
  • The weekly average driving time in the U.S. went from nearly six hours down to 42 minutes.
  • U.S. residents are saving about $97 a month on gas alone without having to commute to work.

Even those who are driving may actually simply want to get out of the house. For those who chose to continue driving during the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of these drivers said that when they did drive, they just got in their cars and drove around aimlessly. Still, accidents do happen. If you have been involved in one, a Bethlehem accident attorney can help.

We’re Driving Less, But Are We Driving Safer?

According to Arity, a mobility data analytics company founded by a leading insurance company, we’re driving less but also driving more aggressively. Their data shows the number of miles driven has dropped significantly, yet there has been around a 50% increase in crashes above 70 m.p.h. Those are the types of crashes that can cause serious damage and injury. 

Furthermore, Arity reports that average speed has increased and that there has been at least a 30% increase in the rate at which people are driving over 100 m.p.h.

So while the number of total accidents has decreased, the number of high-speed accidents has increased. It’s safe to presume that drivers, seeing stretches of open road before them that they may never have seen before, are taking this as an invitation to open it up and push the limits of their vehicles. It’s also possible that some of this behavior is due to “creeping,” a largely subconscious tendency to let your speed creep up slowly due to the lack of impediments on the highway.

Contact a Bethlehem Accident Attorney at Drake, Hileman & Davis

COVID-19 has changed the ways in which we do almost everything in our lives, from the significant to the mundane. Driving is no exception. Generally, drivers in the U.S. are driving much less, resulting in less overall accidents, which has led to many insurance carriers to refund premiums. 

Yet, unfortunately, drivers are driving more recklessly. If you have been involved in an accident, your insurance company is not on your side. Their only goal is to settle your claim as cheaply as possible.

This is why anyone involved in an accident needs the help of a Bethlehem accident attorney at Drake, Hileman & Davis. Our attorneys understand the complexity of the various issues, both legally and with your insurance company, and can help you examine your options and assist you in filing any insurance or legal claims. If you need our help contact us online.

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