- 40% feel less safe on the road than they did before the
pandemic began in 2020
- Survey of 2,000 U.S. drivers aged 25+ looked at vehicle
ownership and perceptions around commuting and public
transportation post-Covid
MESA,
Ariz., Nov. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Verra
Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM), a leading provider of smart
mobility technology solutions, released a new report on the
long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on driver behavior and
perceptions. The survey found 54% of Americans feel the average
driver is worse now compared to before the pandemic.
40% of Americans surveyed feel less safe on
the roads than they did before the pandemic in 2020
In addition, 40% of Americans feel less safe on the roads than
they did before the pandemic began in 2020.
When asked specifically about rush hour traffic, only 15% of
responders said rush hour traffic has improved, with more than
twice the number of people, 34%, saying it is worse.
While the pandemic caused many people to isolate and have fewer
interactions, patience on U.S. roadways seemed to degrade. Of
people surveyed, 32% said they were now less tolerant of traffic
versus pre-pandemic – only 20% said they were more tolerant.
These survey findings correlate with alarming statistics around
rising traffic deaths. Over the last three years, an average of 114
fatal car crashes occurred every day. In 2022, there was an average
of 117 fatal car accidents per day compared to 118 daily fatalities
in 2021, exceeding the 2020 average of 107 fatal car accidents per
day.
The survey also looked at vehicle ownership and perceptions
around commuting and public transportation. While remote work
spurred a decrease in commuting, the survey results showed people
did not part with their vehicles. The majority of households
retained their vehicle(s), with 65% stating that they currently own
the same number of vehicles as they did before the pandemic. Only
13% of American households attributed the pandemic as the reason
for owning fewer cars today.
While personal vehicles did not change much, public
transportation seemed to decline. Of those surveyed, 28% use less
rideshare services, and 31% use less public transportation. The
number one reason for not using public transportation was said to
be convenience.
"These numbers show that Americans have bigger safety and
traffic concerns today than ever before," said Jon Baldwin, executive vice president of
Government Solutions, Verra Mobility. "To change behavior on the
roads, we need to first look behind the wheel. It is our
responsibility as drivers to be more alert and abide by the rules
of the road – to ensure the safety of all."
Earlier this year, Verra Mobility announced its pledge, Zero in
on Safety, as a call to action for drivers to commit to reducing
dangerous driving behaviors and to address unacceptably high
traffic fatality numbers across the globe.
The survey highlights the need for cities, now more than ever,
to adopt a Vision Zero mindset and assist communities in ensuring
safer roads. Verra Mobility has introduced innovative safety
solutions like bus lane enforcement solutions to address vehicles
obstructing public transit lanes and enhance commutes, as well as
automated speed safety technology to curb speeding along roadways
with the most prevalent issues. These solutions help combat traffic
congestion, improve driver behavior and increase road safety.
Survey Methodology
The data was derived from a survey by Verra Mobility conducted
online via Pollfish on September 11,
2023. 2,000 Americans aged 25 and up completed the survey.
To download the full report, visit:
https://www.verramobility.com/post-pandemic-driving-trends-survey.
About Verra Mobility
Verra Mobility Corporation (NASDAQ: VRRM) is a leading provider
of smart mobility technology solutions that make transportation
safer, smarter and more connected. The company sits at the center
of the mobility ecosystem, bringing together vehicles, hardware,
software, data and people to enable safe, efficient solutions for
customers globally. Verra Mobility's transportation safety systems
and parking management solutions protect lives, improve urban and
motorway mobility and support healthier communities. The company
also solves complex payment, utilization and compliance challenges
for fleet owners and rental car companies. Headquartered in
Arizona, Verra Mobility operates
in North America, Europe, Asia
and Australia.
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Investor Relations:
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Eric Krantz
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Mark Zindler
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eric.krantz@verramobility.com
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mark.zindler@verramobility.com
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SOURCE Verra Mobility