COVID-19 Pandemic Fuelled Rise in Impaired Driver Deaths

Mental health crisis and reduced policing during COVID-19 contributed to a surge in drink-driving fatalities, new research reveals.

The US collision repair industry has witnessed the devastating aftermath firsthand: impaired-driving deaths increased significantly during the pandemic, rising from 28% of passenger-vehicle driver fatalities in 2019 to 30% in 2020—a proportion that remained elevated through 2022, according to new research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The IIHS is an American independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and through education of consumers, policymakers and safety professionals.

Their study analysed fatal crashes from 2018-22 and identified several key factors behind this troubling trend. Mental health deterioration emerged as a primary driver, with researchers linking increased depression and suicide ideation directly to more impaired-driver deaths. A one-point increase in adults reporting major depressive episodes correlated with 304 additional impaired-driver deaths annually, whilst a half-point rise in suicide plans was associated with 322 more deaths per year.

"These results reinforce the need for a Safe System approach that incorporates multiple measures to combat impaired driving," said IIHS President David Harkey. The research underscores how the pandemic's psychological toll—including isolation, financial stress, and health anxieties—led to increased alcohol consumption, with 60% of Americans reporting higher drinking levels in May 2020.

Simultaneously, reduced law enforcement presence contributed to the crisis. COVID-19 concerns prompted many police departments to scale back traffic stops and routine enforcement, whilst funding cuts following George Floyd's death in May 2020 further diminished proactive policing efforts.

The research found that losing just five full-time officers per 100,000 residents nationwide correlated with approximately 214 additional impaired-driver deaths annually. This reduction in visible enforcement likely emboldened potential drink-drivers who perceived less risk of detection.

The pandemic also brought rapid changes to alcohol sales regulations, with mixed results for road safety. Between January and December 2020, states permitting home delivery of alcohol from bars and restaurants increased from 21 to 37, whilst those allowing takeaway alcohol sales rose from 21 to 45 states.

Surprisingly, these policy changes had opposing effects. Home delivery policies were associated with roughly 304 additional impaired-driver deaths annually in adopting states, whilst takeaway policies correlated with about 450 fewer deaths per year—though researchers remain unclear why the latter showed protective effects.

For collision repair professionals, these findings highlight the complex factors driving the damaged vehicles arriving at their workshops. The research suggests that mental health interventions, rather than solely enforcement-based approaches, may be crucial for reducing future impaired-driving incidents.

"It's notable that the effect of the mental health crisis was more pronounced than the reduction in policing," noted study author Angela Eichelberger. This insight points to the need for designated DUI courts and integrated mental health programmes, which have shown promise in reducing repeat offences through counselling and support services.

As the industry continues recovering from pandemic impacts, understanding these underlying causes helps collision repair businesses prepare for ongoing challenges whilst supporting broader road safety initiatives that could ultimately reduce the tragic accidents they're called upon to repair.