Planning a Summer Road Trip? Be Prepared for Post-Pandemic Driving Challenges
The common causes of traffic accidents and deaths are well-known—distraction, congested roadways, reckless driving—to name a few.
In March of 2020 when the pandemic began, stay-at-home and shut-down orders emptied roadways of non-essential travelers both in New Jersey and across the country. Logically, one would assume that fewer drivers would lead to fewer accidents and safer roadways.
But the pandemic brought about new dangers: aggressive driving, excessive speed, and racing.
Unfortunately, for some daredevil-types, empty highways were an invitation to use the open space as racetracks and to break land-speed records, according to the National Health and Transportation Safety Administration. Aggressive driving and road rage incidents also increased, with travelers being more short-tempered because of shut-downs, closures, and other inconveniences.
Coinciding with this trend, traffic deaths in the United States rose 7% in 2020, according to the Federal Highway Administration, even though vehicle miles traveled was down 13% from 2019.
Now with the pandemic winding down, most states, including New Jersey, are fully open with little to no restrictions. And although things may never go back to the way they were—with more people permanently working at home, for example—traffic flow has gone back to normal, and in some cases, increased.
Because summer travel is still not as it was pre-pandemic, most international travel has been replaced by domestic travel. And because air travel is still sporadic and the prices subject to extreme fluctuations due to changing market demand, many vacationers are opting for road trips.
Although traffic has increased with the easing or elimination of restrictions, some reckless drivers and speeders are still out there. Combine this with inexperienced long-haul road trippers on family vacations, and the combination can be deadly.
With these added dangers on the road, what can you do to reduce the risk of being in a collision?
For one, the old rules still apply: don’t drive distracted, know and obey local speed laws and other traffic regulations, and map out your route in advance if you are going on a trip, especially on unknown roadways. Make sure your vehicle has had a recent tune-up, check the oil, and fill up the gas tank before setting out. Research and follow best-practice safety recommendations for children in booster and car seats. And—this should go without saying—make sure you and all passengers are always wearing a safety belt when the vehicle is in motion.
With the increase of both unfamiliar and aggressive drivers on the road, it’s also doubly important to be aware of your surroundings. When driving on multi-lane highways, take a mental inventory of the drivers around you, including motorcycles. Before changing lanes, keep a sharp eye out for anyone coming up quickly behind or beside you. Make full use of rear-view and side-view mirrors, and be aware of your blind spot. If someone seems to be distracted or driving aggressively, slow down to avoid them. Never engage an aggressive driver in any way. Drive defensively, and never offensively, to protect yourself and your family.
To help cut down on reckless and aggressive driving in New Jersey, the state police asks that motorists report offenders via the #77 cellular system. Be sure to pull over to a safe place and provide specific information to the call-taker such as exact location of the incident and a description of any vehicles involved. Many other states have similar hotlines, so research this before you set out.
On long trips, take frequent breaks to stretch your legs and refresh. Share long-distances with other experienced drivers to avoid driver fatigue. The summer months bring out more animals such as deer and other wildlife, so stay alert for them, especially on rural roads at dusk and dawn.
While all of this advice may seem like common-sense knowledge, good driving practices are easy to forget when wrapped up in the excitement and details of a road trip. A good rule is to consider your driving plan as an essential passenger on your trip. To help your family stay safe this summer, it could be the most important passenger of all.
Sources:
https://www.autoblog.com/2021/06/04/traffic-deaths-rise-2020-worst-since-2007-nhtsa/
https://www.njsp.org/information/wireless-911.shtml
