The prior complete solar eclipse in the U.S. was linked to a rise in deadly auto collisions, which sparks worry for the approaching eclipse on April 8.(Image credit: John M. Chase via Getty Images)ShareShare by:
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Researchers are warning that the total solar eclipse on April 8 may bring about a surge in lethal vehicle accidents, according to a recent study.
Discussions about eclipse-related eye trauma are more typical than those regarding auto accidents. However, during the most recent total solar eclipse in North America — the “Great American Eclipse” of 2017 — the U.S. encountered a brief but notable climb in fatal wrecks, experts cautioned in a research letter released Monday (March 25) in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal.
The increase in collisions was not associated with the reduced daylight stemming from the eclipse. In reality, “we note a marked reduction during the specific hour encompassing the eclipse,” noted study co-author Dr. Donald Redelmeier, a University of Toronto medicine professor and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre staff physician.
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“The issue lies in the adjacent hours, particularly when individuals are en route to their viewing spot and, notably, afterward,” Redelmeier shared with Live Science. “Our primary concern revolves around the trip back home.”
During the 2017 eclipse, the path of totality — the trail of shadow cast by the moon upon Earth — was restricted, stretching approximately 70 miles (113 kilometers) in breadth. Those situated within this route experienced totality, where the moon completely cloaks the sun, for the longest period. Estimates indicate that around 20 million individuals in the U.S. journeyed to a different city to reach the path of totality.
For the approaching April 8 eclipse, observers within the path will have the opportunity to witness totality for roughly 2.5 to 4.5 minutes, based on their position. People located beyond the path’s borders will only be able to observe a partial eclipse.
Given the substantial traffic generated by the 2017 eclipse, Redelmeier, in partnership with co-author Dr. John Staples, a clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia, sought to ascertain whether it correlated with deadly traffic incidents. They acquired data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a database comprising all deadly traffic mishaps on U.S. public roadways. Their focus was on the three-day span around the Aug. 21, 2017 eclipse. Additionally, they assessed crash data from three-day periods one week before and after the celestial occurrence for comparison.
Furthermore, they employed a U.S. Navy computation tool to pinpoint the timing of each incident in relation to the eclipse’s peak, relying on the accident site’s geographical coordinates.
In general, the eclipse was linked to a 31% surge in deadly accidents, as opposed to the two comparative periods. This upswing mirrors trends observed during key travel periods, like Thanksgiving and the July 4th holiday.
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To rephrase, there were approximately 10.3 individuals implicated in lethal crashes hourly around the eclipse, in contrast to 7.9 individuals during the comparison days. “This translated to 1 additional person involved in a crash every 25 minutes and 1 further death related to a crash every 95 minutes,” the researchers documented.
The degree of risk fluctuated over time, exceeding average leading up to the eclipse, dipping under during the eclipse, and then surging to its peak levels — nearly 50% above the norm — following the event. The surges in risk were more pronounced in regions with unobstructed skies than in areas with cloud cover, potentially because individuals clustered under clear skies to view the eclipse, Redelmeier clarified.
In preparation for the April 8 eclipse, Redelmeier advised, “Our key message is to endorse all standard safety procedures — they are genuinely effective.” These practices encompass respecting speed limits, reducing distractions while operating a vehicle, signaling turns and changes in lane, and securing seat belts.
It’s important to acknowledge that the present study exclusively brought attention to fatal crashes. And while eclipse-induced traffic likely factored into less critical incidents, “we are lacking data pertaining to that,” Redelmeier specified. Furthermore, the data did not distinguish between those traveling to observe the eclipse and those who, while not eclipse-bound, were nonetheless affected by eclipse-related congestion.
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“Simply because you might not be an astronomy enthusiast doesn’t mean you are immune to the effects,” Redelmeier stated, “because we are all joint users of the roads.”
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Nicoletta LaneseSocial Links NavigationChannel Editor, Health
Nicoletta Lanese serves as the health channel editor at Live Science and formerly held positions as a news editor and staff writer for the platform. She possesses a graduate qualification in science communication from UC Santa Cruz, coupled with academic accomplishments in both neuroscience and dance from the University of Florida. Her published work extends to The Scientist, Science News, the Mercury News, Mongabay, and Stanford Medicine Magazine, among other publications. Based in NYC, she maintains significant involvement in the dance sector and appears in projects by local choreographers.
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