"American motorists are putting half as many miles on their odometers as they usually do this time of year, according to Arity, a data analytics company. One result is reduced air pollution. Another is fewer crashes, saving lives and money. In California alone, those savings amount to some $40 million each day, well over $1 billion since the state went into lockdown mode in March."
"Counting medical expenses and productivity losses stemming from injuries and deaths, car crashes cost the US economy more than $75 billion in 2017. Throw in property damage, emergency responders, insurance costs, congestion, and the inevitable court cases, and it's far more. In 2010, the most recent year for which the grand total is available, crashes cost the US $242 billion."
"About 86 percent of US commuters drive themselves to and from work, and in doing so live with the small but real risk of a crash that could kill, injure, or inconvenience them. By passenger-mile, moving by bus or train is one-tenth as deadly, or less, according to the National Safety Council."
COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders reduced American driving by approximately 50%, resulting in significant economic and safety benefits. California alone saves $40 million daily from fewer crashes, totaling over $1 billion since March lockdowns began. Car crashes cost the U.S. economy $242 billion in 2010, with California accounting for $20 billion. These costs include medical expenses, productivity losses, property damage, emergency response, insurance, and legal proceedings. The reduction in driving demonstrates the substantial hidden economic burden of car dependency, as approximately 86 percent of U.S. commuters drive to work. Public transportation by bus or train is significantly safer, with fatality rates one-tenth those of personal vehicles per passenger-mile.
#covid-19-pandemic-impacts #traffic-safety-and-crash-reduction #economic-costs-of-transportation #car-dependency #public-health-policy
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