Warning: The total solar eclipse on April 8 could cause many fatal car accidents

An analysis of car accidents during the 2017 solar eclipse in the US shows that the upcoming April solar eclipse may also be accompanied by an increase in fatal accidents.

The most recent total solar eclipse in the US (in 2017) was accompanied by an increase in fatal car accidents, raising concerns about the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8. (Photo: John M. Chase)

Scientists warn in a new report that the total solar eclipse on April 8 could lead to an increase in fatal car accidents.

We only know about the harmful effects of solar eclipses on humans, which are eye damage and eye damage. Yet, during the most recent total solar eclipse in North America - the "Great Solar Eclipse" of 2017 - the US saw a significant increase in the number of fatal accidents, researchers said. warned in a study published on March 25 in the journal JAMA.

The increase in collisions is not related to daylight darkness caused by the solar eclipse. Co-author Dr. Donald Redelmeier, a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto and a staff physician at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, said: ' Collisions occur most frequently near the time of occurrence. total solar eclipse , as people travel to their viewing locations and especially afterward when driving home".

During the 2017 total solar eclipse, the path of totality – the path along which the Moon's shadow passes over the Earth below – was very narrow, about 113km wide. In the center of that path, viewers witness the longest total solar eclipse, in which the Moon completely obscures the Sun. Estimates show that about 20 million people in the US traveled to another city to see the path of totality.

During the upcoming April 8 solar eclipse, viewers will be able to witness the total eclipse for about 2.5 to 4.5 minutes along the way, depending on their location. Viewers outside the boundary of the eclipse path will only be able to see the partial eclipse.