Changes in road crash characteristics among older drivers in Alabama pre during and post covid 19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic substantially altered travel demand, traffic volumes and driving conditions, yet its implications for older drivers’ crash characteristics across different pandemic phases remain insufficiently understood. This study examines changes in crash involvement patterns among drivers aged 65 and older before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic using Alabama crash data from 2018 to 2022. The modelling results revealed a high degree of temporal stability in older-driver crash profiles, suggesting that the pandemic did not fundamentally alter the underlying mechanisms driving crash risk. Across all periods, a persistent high-severity crash profile involved single-vehicle crashes in rural and open-country settings, male drivers, speeding, drowsy driving and seat belt non-use, resulting in major injuries. In contrast, urban rear-end and sideswipe collisions were largely low severity and often involved older female drivers. A distinct COVID-specific crash profile emerged involving employed drivers, longer travel distances and elevated injury severity, but did not persist post-COVID.