A solar eclipse will take place next month (Picture: Getty)
On April 8, a spectacular total solar eclipse will sweep across North America – potentially leading to more fatal car crashes.
However, the increase in traffic accidents has nothing to do with the eerie daytime darkness.
Instead, scientists argue that driving on unfamiliar roads, rushing to reach a viewing point and even driving over the limit following eclipse-related celebrations can lead to an uptick in severe accidents, as witnessed around the 2017 event.
The team, led by Dr Don Redelmeier, said based on previous data, the total solar eclipse on April 8 may lead to one extra person being involved in a vehicle crash every 25 minutes.
Dr Redelmeier, co-author of the analysis and professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, said an estimated 20 million people in the US travelled to another city to see the solar eclipse in 2017. This meant driving on unfamiliar roads, potentially at speed or while under the influence.
The analysis also found that the hours after the eclipse are especially dangerous, with an almost 50% higher traffic risk than average.
The total solar eclipse draws crowds of people (Picture: Getty)
To calculate the risk, researchers compared the number of all fatal traffic crashes in the three-day interval centred on the day of the eclipse – August 21, 2017 – and three-day control intervals a week before and after the eclipse.
They then used a US Navy calculator to calculate the time of each car crash relative to the time of maximal eclipse based on latitude and longitude.
Dr Redelmeier found the heightened traffic risk was consistent across age, sex, race and ethnicity.
Clear weather also seemed to emphasise the risk, most likely because areas with clear skies attracted more potential eclipse viewers, he said.
Co-investigator Dr John Staples said: ‘To help prevent another possible surge in traffic fatalities, clinicians might advise patients to respect speed limits, minimise distractions, allow more headway, wear a seatbelt, and to never drive impaired.’
Dr Redelmeier added : ‘More broadly, stakeholders should work toward a transportation system that minimizes traffic risks, tolerates human error, and optimized recovery after a crash. These population-based interventions may prevent eclipse-related fatalities and potentially save lives throughout the year.’
The total solar eclipse will happen on April 8, and will be seen by people in Central/North America, from Mexico, then to the US, and will be seen last by those in Canada.
The research letter was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.