No facet of our lives has been untouched by the Covid-19 epidemic from our jobs and careers, how we interact with each other and travel, including driving. For most of us, using our own vehicle is a necessity with which we cannot do without, even in dense urban areas such as New York that offers plenty of public transport, which probably isn’t a good idea right now anyhow.
A lot of people are currently working remotely and have no need to travel to work but there are still many for which that is not an option. Driving is one of the easiest and safest ways to get around for responsible people, not accounting for the reckless actions of others, but it still needs to be addressed as a safety concern during the pandemic.
While you are probably responsible yourself, others might not be and you need to do all that you can to protect yourself and others when out on the road in these uncertain times. Some of the safety concerns at the moment include:
- Beware reckless drivers
- Check local Covid laws
- Postpone national holidays
- Clean your car properly
- Follow advice
No matter how careful you are, you cannot account for the actions of other less responsible people and different states and even cities have implemented their own pandemic laws and policies while mingling with others might not be a good idea at the moment. Whether driving alone or with passengers though, you need to disinfect your vehicle regularly in order to minimize risk, and following simple government advice can go a long way in protecting yourself.
Beware Reckless Drivers
Even the most responsible, alert, and skilled driver can still be the victim of a careless or reckless road user that has no regard for others. Whether it’s driving under the influence, not paying attention, or even simply speeding, we can all become victims to the actions of those who display no regard for either the safety of themselves or the safety of others.
While road usage has been somewhat decreased during the pandemic, the volume of reported incidents involving car accidents has actually increased due to an increase in reckless driving, probably owing to the fact that there are fewer vehicles on the road, in a strange twist of fate.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of America reported a 16% decrease in traffic volume in 2020 but an increase of 20% in fatalities from road traffic incidents. The theory is that drivers are engaging in more risky behavior due to the decreased traffic volume such as driving while intoxicated, speeding, and careless vehicle handling.
Check Local Covid Laws
Throughout the world, almost every nation has imposed some kinds of laws, restrictions, or policies regarding Covid-19. The United States, Britain, and European countries are among some of the most highly restrictive nations globally that have taken measures to restrict the transmission rate and proliferation of Coronavirus, including national lockdowns, international travel bans, and lawful isolation, as in the United Kingdom.
Like most countries, in the US the infection levels vary wildly from region to region, and because of this, some places are easier to get to than others with some travel bans in place while some are beginning to ease restrictions. Infection rates are slowly decreasing and many states and countries are beginning to ease policies but you should still perform your due diligence as a traveler.
If you need to drive or travel anywhere then it might be a good idea to get tested for the virus at least 3 days before as some states and nations won’t even consider allowing you entry without proof of a negative test, under strict penalties such as fines and even jail time and be aware that social distancing is mandated by most countries and all over the United States.
Postpone National Holidays
Everyone loves getting together with friends and family and although restrictions are easing, it doesn’t mean that now is a great time to throw a party or hit the town. 2020 was a bad year that saw many people have to cancel their birthdays, weddings, and annual holiday events which left all of us miserable, but it was necessary and poignant.
Mass gatherings and activities such as sporting events, restaurant meals, and concerts should all be avoided since they put everyone at risk as the last year has shown. Attending such events has always had the impact of creating a “super spreader” event that has led to the mass infection of many people, further dampening the efforts made by public health officials to halt the spread of Covid-19.
If you are driving anywhere and come into contact with an event such as this, or another person who has attended such an event then it is advised that you do not travel. However, should you need to travel and you are traveling with others, then ensure you ask your passengers if they have or will come into contact with any of these as they could pose a risk.
Clean Your Car Properly
In the event that you have hosted passengers in your vehicle either to or from a destination that may or may not have been attended en masse, then you should clean your vehicle properly, even if only yourself has been inside it.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads very easily and can last for 3 days on a surface depending on the material so it is vital that the entire vehicle is cleaned sufficiently enough to remove any traces of the virus so that it cannot live, propagate or spread anywhere else as vehicles and public transport have been shown to be one of the best methods of transmission.
To clean your vehicle properly you will need to use rubber gloves at all times, a face mask, and chemicals that are sufficiently strong enough to kill Covid-19. Many products have now been developed that can kill SARS-CoV-2 so be sure to use one of these and spray your vehicle all over before wiping it down with a clean cloth. Then be sure to dispose of everything when you are finished and never reuse cloth/sponges, gloves or face coverings after cleaning your car.
Follow Advice
One of the best ways to protect yourself is to follow simple government advice relayed by TV and news networks every day. For 12 months now, we have been told time and time again that simple actions such as wearing face masks, washing hands, and practicing social distancing have a great effect on reducing the spread of Covid-19 but many people still aren’t doing this.
If only to protect others from yourself, then always wear a face mask and follow the 2-meter rule. Studies have shown that viruses containing droplets rarely travel further than 2 meters so it is assumed to be a safe distance from which to interact with someone else. A mask is used to catch any droplets that do travel further than this either from your cavities or from another person.
Should be driving in your own vehicle, then it might also still be a good idea to wear a mask since you could be infected and not know it, therefore reducing risk of infection to any passengers you might pick up.
Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.
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