A new survey by the Swedish Road Safety Association shows that a majority of motorists, especially women, feel unsafe at rest stops in the evening. The widespread insecurity risks contributing to more accidents caused by fatigue as drivers avoid taking necessary breaks.
M Sweden reports an increasing number of calls from members expressing concerns about safety at rest stops and parking areas.
Heléne Lilja, Head of Communication and Society at the National Union M Sweden.
– We are receiving more and more calls from members about insecurity at parking lots and rest areas. It is both about observing criminal activity in these places, but also about the environments being perceived as unsafe when they are poorly maintained, says Heléne Lilja, Head of Communications and Society at the National Association M Sweden.
– The large number of trucks at the rest stops makes private motorists feel unwelcome, she continues.
Avoiding rest areas
The survey shows that 61.6% of motorists feel unsafe stopping at rest areas in the evening. Women experience a significantly higher level of insecurity, with 77.4% expressing discomfort compared to 48.8% of men.
– The survey reveals significant differences in perceived safety between women and men. Women’s noticeably higher sense of insecurity thus becomes not only a traffic safety issue but also a matter of gender equality. Traffic and the opportunity for rest stops must reasonably offer equal conditions and possibilities for everyone, says Heléne Lilja.
The same survey shows that 59.4% of respondents feel unsafe stopping to help another motorist in need, a feeling that is even more pronounced among women, where almost 80% feel the same.
When it comes to visiting gas station restrooms, almost a quarter of motorists express a feeling of insecurity.
– Insecurity is a problem in itself, but it also has indirect effects. Insecurity can mean that drivers do not take breaks when they should. Fatigue increases the risk of mistakes and accidents, which is why the ability to take breaks during long car journeys is vital.
Single-Vehicle Accidents Stand Out
In 2023, 229 people lost their lives in traffic accidents, with 27% of fatalities occurring in single-vehicle accidents involving motor vehicles – the most common type of fatal accident. The Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) estimates that fatigue contributes to approximately 10 to 40% of all traffic accidents.
Safety concerns are also evident regarding parking in city centers during evening hours. The survey indicates that 58.7% of drivers feel somewhat or very unsafe when parking in an unfamiliar city center at night.
The gender gap is also clear here: 66.9% of women report feeling unsafe compared to 52.4% of men.
