Professor John L. Renne

As the Principal Investigator of the overarching study focusing on student commuting in southeast Florida, my colleagues and I published an article about one aspect of the research in the Journal of Transport & Health.

This paper, led by Louis A. Merlin, with David A. Simpson, Katherine Freeman, and Serena Hoermann, tackles a topic that’s deeply relevant for campuses today: how mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances impact students’ ability to commute safely.

What We Discovered

• Mental Health and Crash Risk: We found a positive correlation between students experiencing mental health challenges—such as depression, insomnia, and anxiety—and their likelihood of being involved in a vehicle crash.

• Demographic Insights: Certain demographic factors also contributed to crash risk. For instance, students who had additional caregiving responsibilities or lower GPAs were more likely to report crashes, whereas students with higher GPAs tended to have a lower crash risk, possibly due to stronger coping and time management skills.

• The Unique Challenges of Commuter Students: Unlike students who live on campus, commuter students often face financial and personal responsibilities that heighten their vulnerability to disruptions caused by a crash. For many, the aftermath of a crash—whether physical injury, financial strain, or psychological stress—can derail their academic and personal lives.

Why Mental Health Matters for Commuters

When students are struggling with mental health issues, their focus while driving can suffer. Depression, anxiety, or sleep deprivation can cause “mental drift,” a phenomenon where attention wanes and thoughts wander. This effect is not unlike distracted driving, and it can become a serious risk factor.

Our Recommendations for Colleges

Given these insights, we believe there are several actions colleges can take to support commuter students and reduce crash risks:

1. Expand Mental Health Services: Colleges should prioritize accessible, affordable, and flexible mental health services. By helping students address these underlying challenges, institutions can support both their mental health and safety on the road.

2. Prioritize On-Campus Housing and Transit Passes for At-Risk Students: By providing on-campus housing options and transit passes, especially for financially disadvantaged students, colleges can help alleviate the pressures of driving and potentially reduce crash risks. This is particularly important for first-generation students and Pell Grant recipients, who may face higher financial stress and crash susceptibility.

3. Introduce Safe Driving and Wellness Programs: Colleges could also implement safe driving programs as part of their support packages for commuter students, emphasizing the connection between mental health and safe driving habits. In addition, partnerships with local transit agencies to offer discounted or free transit passes could provide students with safe, alternative commuting options.

Future Research

While our findings underscore the correlation between mental health and crashes, more research is needed. We need to understand causality better: does poor mental health increase crash risk, or does the experience of a crash intensify mental health struggles? Longitudinal studies that follow students over time could provide insights that go beyond correlation, helping us to determine cause and effect more clearly.

This study highlights an important need for targeted interventions to support commuter students, both on campus and in their daily commutes. As colleges work to foster safer and more supportive environments, addressing these mental health and commuting challenges can make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and their families.