COVID-19, Lockdowns and Motor Vehicle Collisions: Empirical Evidence from Greece

This article reports on a study undertaken to examine whether there was a change in the number of motor vehicle crashes (MVC), crash injuries, and deaths during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the first lockdown in Greece in 2020. The author reviewed monthly data at the regional unit level to support a difference-in-differences econometric approach, comparing trends in 2020 with those of the previous 5 years. The study controlled for unemployment and gasoline prices. Results showed a steep decline in collisions, injuries and deaths in 2020 compared with what would have been expected based on historical data projections. Specifically, in March and April 2020, there were about 1,226 fewer collisions, 72 fewer deaths, 40 fewer serious injuries and 1,426 fewer minor injuries than during normal, non-lockdown equivalent times. The author concludes with a brief discussion of the possible reasons behind this decrease in motor vehicle crashes.

Language

  • English

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01839190
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Mar 22 2022 11:52AM