Fatal traffic crashes rose 14.3% nationwide the day following mass shooting events. Credit: Pexels.
Mass shooting incidents and car crashes may seem like two unrelated incidents, but a recent study has uncovered that there might be an unexpected link. Every year, more than a hundred mass shootings take place across the United States, many leaving behind four or more lives lost. In the aftermath, the tragedy quickly spreads across every avenue of media, from newspaper headlines and TV news to social media feeds and even online searches. This constant stream of coverage can leave people feeling anxious, distracted, and emotionally overwhelmed.
A recent study explored whether this psychological impact could have real-world consequences beyond emotional distress, such as people's ability to drive.
They examined whether major mass shootings were followed by an increase in fatal car crashes across the country. They found that the day after 8 out of the 10 deadliest shootings showed a temporary increase in fatal traffic crashes nationwide. As people turned to the internet for updates and information about the tragedy, traffic deaths increased by an average of 14.3% or roughly 20 additional deaths across the country in a single day.
