5 Ways Covid-19 Changed Our Daily Drive

It’s an undeniable fact that the COVID-19 pandemic modified lots about our day by day lives, together with our vehicles. Whereas Hankook Tire’s newest Gauge Index discovered that 60% of Individuals are driving day-after-day, versus solely 19% in April 2020, lots of our habits behind the wheel have shifted in gentle of all the things this 12 months put in entrance of us.

1) we’re spending much less cash on the fuel pump.

The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly closed many common driving locations, together with workplace buildings, colleges, eating places and retail, which in flip gave drivers fewer locations to go. Whereas the quantity of driving we’ll be doing over the following few months continues to be unsure, the optimistic impression on wallets continues to be there: 70% of Individuals say that they’ve spent much less cash on fuel for the reason that begins of the pandemic.

And once they do must refill the tank, drivers are strategic about it. For the reason that pandemic, over three-fourths (77%) make a plan to get fuel whereas operating errands to restrict their day trip of the home.

2) There are designated errand runs – and designated runners.

People are additionally strategic with how and once they depart the home for necessities. Many usually are not snug making a fast run to the shop to choose up one thing they forgot for dinner. Practically two-thirds (64%) say they now save all of their errands for someday or do curbside orders to restrict potential publicity to the virus. One other half (53%) have a chosen errand runner, so just one individual has to go away the home.

3) Rush hour is much less rushed.

With extra Americans persevering to work at home and college students taking courses on-line, rush hour is proving much less intense. Practically two-thirds (63%) of drivers acknowledge that standard visitor patterns have shifted for the reason that begin of 2020. One other 65% verify there may be much less visitors on their common routes – although that largely is dependent upon the place you reside. Hankook discovered that drivers within the Northeast noticed essentially the most vital impression on their common visitor’s movement, the place 71% of drivers say their day by day routes have fewer vehicles on the street.

4) Comfort levels are shifting gears.

Because of the pandemic, 75% of Individuals usually are not snug utilizing public transportation. Nevertheless, confidence behind the wheel is down, too – simply over a 3rd (36%) say they’re much less assured driving for the reason that begins of the pandemic, maybe as a result of they don’t seem to be doing in order usually. Apparently sufficient, males are virtually twice as prone to say they’re much less assured behind the wheel as girls … 44% vs. 28%.

Moreover, persons are cautious about who they drive with. Two-thirds (66%) usually are not snug getting right into a car that belongs to somebody exterior their family. One other two-thirds (63%) usually are not snug having passengers from exterior their family in their very own car.

5) Face masks are brand new sunglasses.

2020 has not simply modified when and the place we use our vehicles, it’s also altering what we maintain in them. Most Individuals (81%) maintain a face mask of their automotive, the Gauge discovered. Greater than half (55%) have a chosen spot for it of their autos – be it within the glove compartment, heart console, rearview mirror, or the gear shift. And 72% say they’ve hand sanitizer of their car, too.

We should wait and see which of those traits will stick around and that are more nonpermanent reactions to a tumultuous 12 months. Nevertheless, one factor is for sure: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted how we view, use and depend upon our autos.