Research Summary

COVID Infection Raises Car Crash Risk by 25%, US Study Finds

Miranda Manier, BA

Key Highlights

  • Acute COVID-19 infection was associated with a 25% increase in crash risk.
  • No protective effect of vaccination against crash risk was identified.
  • The crash risk linked to COVID-19 infection mirrors that seen at legal blood alcohol concentration thresholds.
  • Findings suggest that individuals recovering from COVID-19 may need additional evaluation before engaging in cognitively demanding tasks such as driving.

A multistate ecological study spanning 2020–2023 demonstrated a significant association between acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and increased rates of motor vehicle crashes. The analysis, which adjusted for population, vaccination status, mitigation efforts, and long COVID prevalence, found that higher rates of acute COVID-19 infections correlated with a 25% increase in crash risk. This association held true across diverse states and was consistent despite differences in public health measures and vaccine uptake. The risk linked to acute COVID-19 infection approximated that of legal-limit alcohol impairment, underscoring the potential neurocognitive impact of the virus.

Prior research has demonstrated cognitive dysfunction—colloquially described as “brain fog”—following COVID-19 infection, even in mild cases. With long COVID affecting up to a quarter of survivors and more than 30% reporting cognitive symptoms, concerns have emerged regarding driving safety. This study sought to quantify the real-world impact of SARS-CoV-2 on driving outcomes, building upon earlier observations that suggested changes in crash patterns during the pandemic, particularly as mitigation strategies evolved and acute infections surged.

Researchers collected crash and COVID-19 data from seven US states (Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Massachusetts, Texas, and Washington), integrating datasets from state transportation departments and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. COVID-19 incidence was estimated using PCR positivity rates, validated against wastewater surveillance and time-series data. The Poisson regression model incorporated fixed state-level effects and offset population differences, adjusting for potential confounders including Long COVID prevalence and vaccination coverage. Heat map correlation analyses were used to confirm the independence of key variables.

The results demonstrated that acute COVID-19 positivity was strongly associated with increased crash rates. In the multivariable model, PCR positivity was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.44 (95% CI, 1.42–1.47), while vaccination status had no protective effect (OR 0.98 [0.97–0.98]). State-level variation in effect sizes was observed, with particularly strong associations noted in Massachusetts (OR 5.22) and Connecticut (OR 3.19), while Iowa and Washington showed no statistically significant correlation.

Limitations include the use of aggregate data, which prevents confirmation of infection status in individuals involved in crashes, and potential underreporting of incidents involving uninsured drivers.

“Findings suggest significant implications for public health policies, especially in assessing the readiness of individuals recovering from COVID-19 to engage in high-risk activities such as pilots or nuclear plant employees,” the authors concluded.

Reference

Erdik B. Driving under viral impairment: Linking acute SARS-CoV-2 infections to elevated car crash risks. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025;5(4):e0004420. doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0004420