April 8 total solar eclipse might have an unexpected effect - fatal car accidents

The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8 could cause a surge in fatal car accidents, suggest scientists in a new report. The same kind of surge was seen during the last total solar eclipse in North America in 2017 when a number of car crashes occurred during a single hour of the day involving the eclipse.

The car crashes or accidents are not due to the daytime darkness caused by the eclipse, said co-author of the study, Dr Donald Redelmeir who is a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto.

"The problem is the surrounding hours when people are travelling to their place of observation and especially afterwards," Redelmeier told Live Science. "We're especially concerned about the drive home."

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Also Read |Role reversal: Humans to blame? Scientists find we infect animals twice as much!

During the 2017 eclipse, the path of totality—where the moon's shadow traverses the Earth—was relatively narrow, spanning approximately 70 miles (113 kilometres) in width. Within the heart of this path, observers experienced the longest duration of totality, during which the moon completely obscures the sun's face.

Estimates suggest that around 20 million people in the USjourneyed to various cities along the path of totality to witness this celestial event.

During the upcoming April 8 eclipse, observers positioned within the path of totality can experience totality for approximately 2.5 to 4.5 minutes, based on their specific location. However, individuals situated outside the boundaries of the path will only have the opportunity to witness a partial eclipse.

Also Read |Human brains getting larger in size, and this may be good news for some

On analysing the traffic data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from the 2017 eclipse, Redelmeier and co-author Dr John Staples found that there was an overall increase of 31 per cent in car crashes duringthe three-day window surrounding the Aug 2017 eclipse.

In addition, they used a USNavy calculator to determine the timing of each crash relative to the time of maximal eclipse, based on the accident site's latitude and longitude.

Around the eclipse, about 10.3 people were involved in fatal crashes per hour, as compared to 7.9 people per hour on other days.

"This averaged to 1 extra crash-involved person every 25 minutes and 1 extra crash fatality every 95 minutes," the researchers wrote.

Also Read |Massive 'devil comet' has a hidden spiral of light surrounding its large icy core

The risk varied over time, rising above average before the eclipse, falling below during the eclipse and then shooting up to its highest levels, nearly 50 per centabove average, after the event.

What was more surprising was that the bumps in risk were higher in places with clear skies than in overcast locations.

In advance of the April 8 eclipse, Redelmeier said, "Our takeaway is to recommend all the standard safety strategies — they really do work." These measures include adhering to speed limits, minimising distractions while driving, signalling turns and lane changes, and wearing seat belts.

(With inputs from agencies)