Americans’ Top Concerns for Summer Car Travel
(And How to Maximize Safety on the Road)
Americans are driving less since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The need to drive plummeted in the spring with schools, gyms, and restaurants under lockdown, and nearly one third of the population working from home. But now that summer is in full swing and states have eased into reopening, drivers are hitting the roads for travel and recreation.
A national survey of drivers found that the majority of Americans have noticed a surge in traffic in recent weeks. City and suburban dwellers are replacing international travel and theme park visits with interstate road trips and socially-distanced entertainment. Indeed, taking the highways and scenic routes to avoid crowded airports, bus stations, and train stations is a wise decision during the pandemic. But before you reach for the car keys, take a look at what you can expect to encounter on the roads — and how to drive safer and smarter while navigating them.
Drivers’ Top Pandemic Road Safety Concerns
Surprisingly, nearly half (46%) of Gen Z respondents cite road safety concerns, more than any other generation. Defying stereotypes of reckless youth, Gen Z drivers are taking precautions to not only avoid the virus, but also avoid accidents and incidents caused by driver distraction, road rage, traffic, and more. Of course, millennials, Gen X, and boomers, also reported concerns about road safety this summer. Overall, drivers’ top fears and frustrations include:- Other drivers being distracted (48%)
- Reckless driving and/or road rage (40%)
- Unexpected incidents (29%)
- Traffic & congestion (26%)