Citation

Saladié, Bustamante E, Gutiérrez A. Transp. Res. Interdiscip. Persp. 2020; 8: 100218.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.trip.2020.100218

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact that the lockdown decreed by the Spanish Government to combat COVID-19 has had on traffic accidents in Tarragona province (Spain). The number of traffic accidents registered during the first six weeks of lockdown (March 16-April 26) was compared to those reported in the previous six weeks (February 3-March 15). The number of collisions registered during these two periods was also compared to those registered in the equivalent weeks of 2018-2019. During lockdown, the number of traffic accidents fell by 74% compared to the period before lockdown and by 76% with respect to the equivalent period in 2018-2019. This reduction of accidents has been higher than the decrease of mobility during that period (55%). This suggests a multiplicative positive effect of traffic reduction on roads safety. The authors' findings provide new evidences of the disruptive effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on transportation and of how it could be used as a catalyst to promote more sustainable and secure transport systems.


Keywords: CoViD-19-Road-Traffic

Language: en