Of course, Corona primarily poses a threat to public health and the economy, but in addition to empty shelves, it also results in virtually empty roads. But empty roads also means less work for the automotive industry and everything around it: empty showrooms, empty petrol stations and angry driving school owners.
What would have been a screenplay from a mediocre, post-apocalyptic film a few weeks ago is now the bitter reality. The world does not stand still completely, but it is running in emergency. The consequences of the corona crisis are also clearly noticeable on the road and everything around it. Those who get gray hair from traffic jams may have the time of their life. But those who earn their daily bread from driving will now have gray hair.
Rijkswaterstaat noticed the effect of corona in daily traffic very quickly, says spokesman Diederik Fleuren: “Monday, March 9 was still a fairly normal day, after which we saw it calm down quickly on the road. But since Monday March 16 it is really very quiet. Of course there is still some traffic, but not so much that there are noticeable traffic jams. ” Fleuren has numbers ready and they speak volumes: “Normally this time of year, a Monday morning rush hour is about 200 km, the same in the evening. Last week we had 13 km in the morning and 7 km in the evening. On a Tuesday, 250 km is normal in the morning, and 260 at the top of the peak in the evening. Now we had 6 km in the morning and 15 km in the evening. Wednesday has always been a quieter day, with 100 km in the morning and 175 km in the afternoon, which was now 7 and 8. “
You could imagine that Rijkswaterstaat uses this quiet period to carry out extra work, but according to Fleuren, that is too simple: “Projects like this are planned very long in advance. What was planned continues. But it is simply not possible to bring it forward. What we can do is that we now do certain work that normally needs to be done at night because it causes too much nuisance during the day. ”
The step back to 100 km / h maximum speed has been snowed under by corona, but Fleuren nevertheless has the feeling that this is being followed. “People tend to stick to the new speed limits in general.”
Branch organization Bovag has been a madhouse since the corona outbreak, says spokesman Tom Huyskens: “We are the crisis center for the entire industry. We are in constant consultation with ministries, RDW, CBR, other sector organizations, unions. ”
Sales of new and used cars are drying up, Huyskens knows: “There are still episodes, but those are cars that were already ordered. The March sales statistics will still be better than expected, but the question is what will happen in the longer term. Nobody is going to pick out a new car in their dead field. ” Most showrooms are still open, says Huyskens. “But it is very quiet there. Then you have to ask yourself whether you still have to turn on the light, which are also only costs. ” On the other hand, the workshops are still well filled, says Huyskens. “Precautions are also taken there, such as a pick-up and return service and counters where you can pick up and leave the key.”
The rental industry has been hit hard. Huyskens: “The fate of the major parties at the airports is evident. They hardly have a run-up anymore. ” Washing companies are also struggling: “Cars that drive less become less dirty,” says Huyskens. “And the same goes for petrol stations.”
But petrol stations often have a nice range of foods in the shop. In times when supermarkets are faced with empty shelves, isn’t there an opportunity for the gas station? “The most benefit is from the commuting to work that takes a cup of coffee or a snack, and there is hardly any more. Many petrol stations also have a catering facility, so they are now also closed. ”
Then there are also the driving schools; what do those of corona notice? Huyskens: “CBR has stopped theoretical and practical exams. In principle, the driving schools can continue as usual, but the same applies here: keep a meter and a half away. That is impossible in their practice, so it is a diabolical dilemma. Many driving schools have already quit and we have given the right advice in line with what the government says. Normally you pick up the other with one student, so that you sit in the car with the three of you; don’t do that for a while. Make sure to clean the handlebars, poker and handles after every lesson. And don’t take students with a cold. ”
It is remarkable that driving school owners who have stopped on their own initiative have their opinion ready about those who continue, says Huyskens: “And they demand that we put a stop to that. We are not a government, but an industry association. We cannot force anyone to stop earning a living. “