A Caution in the Dark: The Eclipse's Hidden Road Dangers
A recent report warns that the total solar eclipse on April 8 could lead to an increase in fatal car crashes. While eclipse-related eye injuries are more commonly discussed, the last total solar eclipse in North America, the “Great American Eclipse” of 2017, saw a brief but significant increase in fatal crashes. This increase was not due to the daytime darkness caused by the eclipse, but rather the surrounding hours when people were traveling to and from their viewing locations.
Dr. Donald Redelmeier, a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and a staff physician at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, explained that the significant decrease in crashes during the single hour of the eclipse is followed by a surge in crashes during the hours when people are traveling home. This is a particular concern for the upcoming April 8 eclipse, as viewers within the path of totality will be able to witness the eclipse for about 2.5 to 4.5 minutes, depending on their location.
Given the heavy traffic generated by the 2017 eclipse, Redelmeier and co-author Dr. John Staples, a clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia, wanted to investigate if it was tied to life-threatening road accidents. They analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, focusing on the three-day window surrounding the Aug. 21, 2017 eclipse. They found that the eclipse was tied to a 31% increase in fatal crashes, compared to the two comparison time windows. This increase is similar to what’s seen around major travel holidays, such as Thanksgiving and July 4th weekend.
In light of these findings, Redelmeier recommends adhering to standard safety strategies during the April 8 eclipse. These measures include adhering to speed limits, minimizing distractions while driving, signaling turns and lane changes, and wearing seat belts. It’s important to note that the study only highlighted fatal crashes, and it’s likely that the eclipse traffic was also tied to less-severe accidents. The data did not differentiate between those who traveled to watch the eclipse and those who didn’t but were nonetheless caught in eclipse-related traffic.
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