'The Pandemic Made People Worse Drivers,' a driving update

As I predicted, Pearl passed 70,000 miles yesterday, so it's time for a driving update. I begin with SciShow reporting The Pandemic Made People Worse Drivers, among other things.

We all picked up new habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. But not all of them stuck. Here's the data on whether we're better or worse drivers, exercisers, social media community members, neighbors, and self carers than during and before lockdown.

I've known that the pandemic increased murders and bad driving for four years, since I wrote Americans speeding during the pandemic is increasing traffic deaths, a driving update.

In the past week of returning to in-person teaching and resuming my pre-pandemic driving patterns, I've observed several people driving just as Krugman described, weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds. While a few Michigan drivers were doing that all along before the pandemic, I think I've seen more this week than the pre-pandemic average. Based on the data and my personal observations, I agree with Krugman that "the pandemic and its disruptions seem to have done a number on social psychology in many dimensions. The worrisome thing is that troubled behavior seems to be persisting even as the country reopens." Here's to hoping that subsides when the pandemic is over, which it isn't.

I also knew about increased social media use, which persisted, and worse mental health, which the stats say has returned to the pre-pandemic normal. What I didn't know about were the Cannonball Run record, increased drinking, childhood obesity, strokes, and drug deaths, along with worse heart health. I can't say I'm surprised at any of them, except the Cannonball Run. I thought that was only a movie. I'm also relieved that driving is improving and the murder rate is decreasing. It give me hope that the rest of the craziness will subside as well.

That's the general driving situation. Follow over the jump for my personal update.


As I wrote above the jump, Pearl passed 70,000 miles yesterday, Thursday, September 11, 2025, 107 days since she passed 69,000 miles on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. That translates to 9.35 miles per day, 285.05 miles per standard month, and 3,411.21 miles per standard year. That's definitely less than the 12.82 miles per day, 391.03 miles per standard month, and 4,679.49 miles per standard year I drove her between Monday, March 10, 2025 and May 27, 2025. I wrote then, "I will be driving to only one work location beginning in May." I even drove to work two fewer days per week, since my Tuesday-Thursday classes were canceled. It was also enough for me to drive Pearl less than the equivalent period last year, when I averaged 11.63 miles per day, 354.65 miles per standard accounting month, 4,244.19 miles per standard year. I haven't driven my primary vehicle so little since I traded in Yuki eleven years ago.

Since I just posted CNBC explains 'How China Proved It Can Shut Down Global Auto Production,' a driving update, I'd normally look at the combined miles driven on both vehicles, but my diabetes sapped some of my strength this morning (I woke up hypoglycemic twice, the second time after breakfast, and I had to do my best Hobbit impression and eat a second breakfast), so I'm saving it for teaching. I'm only teaching three classes this semester, so while I'm driving more than during the summer, I'm still driving less than I did last fall. My readers will find out in late November or early December, when I anticipate writing my next driving update. In the meantime, I'm planning on covering some of the winners of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards tomorrow. Stay tuned.