April's solar eclipse could lead to over 1,000 car crash deaths, shock study warns

Scientists have warned there could be a spike in fatal car crashes during the solar eclipse in April.

Researchers at the University of Toronto analyzed road traffic data from the 2017 solar eclipse and found there were more than 1,000 additional road deaths across the US three days before and after the cosmic event.

The average car deaths in the US each day is around 114, but there were at least 189 each day during the week of the solar eclipse four years ago.

The reason for the increase in driving is due to millions of more people being on roads as they leave their hometown and head off to cities within the path of totality.

The solar eclipse will take place between Maine and Texas on April 8, 2024

Scientists predict a massive uptick in the number of car crash fatalities in the wake of the solar eclipse

The April 8 eclipse will see more than 3.7 million people travel to one of 14 states to see the solar eclipse including Maine, Kentucky, Idaho, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Texas will see the most travelers, amounting to about 270,000 to an estimated one million visitors, because of its prime location to view the eclipse, while Indiana will welcome between 131,000 and 522,000 people.

Although there are still car rentals and hotel options, the costs have soared, particularly in Dallas, where there was a 571 percent boost in hotel bookings for the days leading up to the solar eclipse.

Hotel prices in Waco, Texas have surged by a whopping 81 percent while prices in Cleveland and Austin also rose by 33 and 34 percent, respectively.

According to the report, the overall increased traffic risk was comparable to those observed on major holidays including Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, and the 4th of July weekend. 

The total solar occurs when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun, briefly turning the outdoors dark during the daytime.

The spectacle will be visible to an estimated 32 million people along a narrow path through North and Central America.

It will mark the first seen from the US since August 2017, which also saw a 95 percent increase in traffic risks around the time of the eclipse.

In the hour leading up to the event, the number of crashes rose above average but dropped to below average during the eclipse and then shot up to a shocking 50 percent above average afterward. 

'The problem is the surrounding hours, when people are traveling to their place of observation and especially afterwards,' the report's co-author Dr. Donald Redelmeier, a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto told Live Science. 

'We're especially concerned about the drive home,' he added.

The largest uptick was observed in the hour preceding the eclipse because millions of people departed at the same time, amounting to a 50 percent increase compared to the average day. 

According to the researchers, it wasn't likely that the increase in fatal crashes was due to ambient light, but rather the increase in the people on the road.

Other potential factors include people driving on unfamiliar roads, speeding to see the eclipse on time, distraction while driving at they attempt to see the eclipse, and drug or alcohol-induced impairment from related celebrations. 

The new study looked at data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of all fatal crashes across the US during the three-day window of the last eclipse and compared it to a three-day window from the week before and after.

They also referred to a US Navy calculator to determine when the crash occurred in relation to when the eclipse took place.

The high influx of fatalities might only be part of the story, because the scientists weren't able to get information about the number of less severe crashes, saying: 'We just don't have the data on that.' 

However, the researchers warned that even if drivers aren't viewing the eclipse, they should be wary of other drivers who did attend the event.

Up to 3.7 million people are expected to travel to regions to see the solar eclipse

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that airports along the 'path of totality' will likely experience delays and rerouting from April 7 through April 10 

The report comes after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a travel warning, saying airports that are in the line of the solar eclipse's totality path could experience delays and rerouting from April 7 through April 10.

READ MORE: Texas county declares state of emergency ahead of solar eclipse

 

Officials in central Texas are gearing up for challenges like traffic congestion, fuel shortages, and strains on first responders, hospitals, and food supplies, as thousands of tourists are expected to flood the town

The warning includes Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport which is expected to be a main hub for travelers coming to see the eclipse and which already hosts more than 200,000 flyers each day.

'Aircraft should be prepared for potential airborne holding, reroutes, and/or Expect Departure Clearance Times (EDCTs) that may be issued for all domestic IFR arrivals and departures. Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) are possible,' the FAA announcement said.

State officials also expressed the fear that cellphone service could be disrupted because of the 3.7 million people who are expected to gravitate to regions that are hosting the 'Great North America Eclipse.'

Rebecca Owens, director of the Richland County Emergency Management Authority (EMA), told the Richland Source: 'Cell phone (reception) will be very, very sketchy.

'There will be lots of issues with connectivity and that type of thing.'

A T-Mobile spokesperson previously told DailyMail.com that it has already taken steps to ensure people retain cellphone access.

'Our emergency teams are working with state and local officials across the country to provide additional support where needed for large gatherings,' the spokesperson said.