Summer is here – the best time to hop into a sick convertible, put the top down, and go for a cruise. Yet with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many wonder if it’s safe to drive a convertible (or go for a ride in one) with the top down.
With COVID-19 changing daily lives across the country, automobiles are more important than ever, offering owners a much needed getaway from feeling cooped up at home.
Many ragtop owners are curious about their safety behind the wheel, so here's what experts have to say about driving a convertible top down in a pandemic.
Open Top Vs. Closed Top
Many experts have weighed in on whether it’s dangerous to drive a convertible with the top down in a pandemic. Harvard Medical School physician Abraar Karan shared his thoughts with NPR on a wide range of health questions related to COVID-19.
Regarding driving in convertibles, Karan told NPR: “The risk of transmission there would probably be low, because you're both outdoors and having a lot of wind blowing [particles] back.”
Yet there may be cause for concern for nonconvertible cars. While Karan notes “you’re theoretically almost outdoors” in a roofless car, he highlighted that transmission in enclosed spaces – such as a closed car – “is a big deal.”
Safety Measures
Another expert, Paula Cannon, who’s a professor at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine, told Business Insider that driving a convertible during a pandemic is safe but shares one scenario where the can risk go up.
If a convertible stops, according to Cannon, and pedestrians are close enough to the car (within six feet), it may pose a risk. To reduce risk, drivers can plan their trip ahead of time to avoid more populated streets.
Another tip she suggests is wiping the car down if different people are taking it for a spin.
Convertibles See Increased Value During Coronavirus
One silver lining during the pandemic is the increased usefulness of convertibles, particularly for drive through events. In parts of the country, high schools have resorted to drive through graduation ceremonies as a way to celebrate students' accomplishments while practicing social distancing. A convertible also offers greater visibility for those participating in a drive through event.
The outbreak has brought many aspects of the auto industry to a screeching halt. Major automakers such as Porsche, Ferrari, and Lamborghini halted production for a time, with the latter finding ways to help Italy during the pandemic. Plus, Renault might depart F1 for financial reasons.
Many wonder if the outbreak will affect the timeline of hotly anticipated releases such as the Tesla Roadster and Jeep Gladiator Desert-Rated Mojave Trim. For updates on when you’ll finally be able to get your hands on them (and more auto related news), be sure to keep checking back here and we’ll keep you posted.
Sources: NPR, Business Insider, Los Angeles Times