The Mental Toll: Study shows demand for post-crash emotional support, greater confidence in vehicle tech

Toronto, Ontario — According to recent study from a United Arab Emirates-based road safety advocacy group, technology like automatic emergency brake systems do wonders in keeping us out of physical danger, but little has been done to address the invisible wounds that come with auto collisions.

RoadSafetyUAE, in partnership with OnStar, has been studying the psychological impact that collisions have on drivers in order “to understand and therefore better address the emotional state and requirements of drivers in their time of need.”

Among the 46 UAE-based drivers who participated in the study, and had been in an “emergency on-road incident” in the past, most respondents said they felt initial feelings of fear, anxiety, and shock immediately following their collision. For those who were traveling with passengers at the time of their collision, the wellbeing of family often presented itself as the primary concern.

While most people reported that the first action they took following their collision was to call for emergency services, the study found that one in five drivers were in shock and therefore unable to make an immediate decision.

“I was panicking and didn’t know what happened so suddenly, so I was just shaking,” said one respondent.

The study also asked respondents what sort of support they would like to be provided by OnStar’s Automatic Crash Response, with two out of three people reporting that they would appreciate emotional help from OnStar advisors immediately following a crash.

“I think human interaction would have been very helpful since I was really scared,” said another respondent.

“While bystanders were able to offer practical care, respondents did not feel comforted until trained professionals were able to offer emotional support to calm and reassure the victims of the car accident,” RoadSafetyUAE states.

“17 of the accident victims interviewed also reported wanting to speak to a friend, spouse or family member for reassurance and emotional support in the immediate aftermath.”

One in three respondents said they felt either extremely satisfied or satisfied with their vehicle’s existing safety features, specifically naming the rear and front sensors, airbags, automated braking system (AEB), and a durable car exterior.

“We wanted to understand the experience of accident victims right after the incident, including their accident-related predominant emotions and needs at the time, as well as how they evaluated the support that they received,” said founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, Thomas Edelmann.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported in June 2021 that 20 million-50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries from traffic crashes with many leading to a disability.

WHO called on governments “to take action to address road safety in a holistic manner.”

“This requires involvement from multiple sectors such as transport, police, health, education, and actions that address the safety of roads, vehicles, and road users,” WHO states on its website.

“Effective interventions include designing safer infrastructure and incorporating road safety features into land-use and transport planning, improving the safety features of vehicles, improving post-crash care for victims of road crashes, setting and enforcing laws relating to key risks, and raising public awareness.”