Because of the lesser amount of cars on the road and because there was a lack of law enforcement on the roads - people started to drive recklessly. The biggest change was speeding - but there was a lot of out and out reckless driving going on as well. Weaving in and out of lanes. Non-use of directional signals when changing lanes. Tailgating. Passing on the right. Passing on the shoulder of the road and riding the shoulder.
I believe the lack of law enforcement was due to the police reluctant to stop anyone because of the threat to them to get Covid. As a result - drivers got more embolden and threw caution to the wind when driving.
Now that things are beginning to normalize - those habits that people developed during the worst of the pandemic - have just become common place for them and the reckless driving and speeding just continue and because of more traffic on the roads - the situation has become more dangerous. NOTE: There is still a lack of law enforcement on the roads and that doesn't help the situation.
It's actually scary driving on the expressways and roads these days. Also - people still are using their phones and texting while driving and that doesn't help the situation.
When I learned how to drive - there were public service announcements (PSA's) on the TV and Radio about safe driving habits; stopping distances; tailgating; speeding; etc. I haven't seen any such PSA's like that in years. I also had to take a driving course in high school before I was able to go test for my license back then.
One thing the government can do is to put out PSA's again encouraging safer driving habits. Put more law enforcement on the roads and make their presence known visibly and begin to watch for and ticket those driving recklessly.
I've become a safer driver now - and I know that I'm obeying the laws - but I worry about the other guy. I've made the comment more often than not lately - that I watch in my rear view mirror almost as much as I watch the road in front of me - because of the craziness that comes from you behind your car. If you are not aware - these drivers that speed by you and cutting in front of you without leaving enough room to get back in the lane - can startle one to cause an accident.
= new reply since forum marked as read