"Health Risk Associated with Upcoming US Total Solar Eclipse"

1 min read
Source: IFLScience
"Health Risk Associated with Upcoming US Total Solar Eclipse"
Photo: IFLScience
TL;DR

Research suggests that the upcoming total solar eclipse in the US on April 8 could lead to a spike in fatal road traffic accidents, similar to the increase observed during the 2017 eclipse. The study found that there was a 31 percent increase in traffic risks around the time of the eclipse, resulting in an estimated 46 extra deaths linked to the event. The researchers attribute this to increased traffic, travel on unfamiliar routes, speeding, driver distraction, and impairment from related celebrations. They advise drivers to take precautions such as respecting speed limits, minimizing distractions, allowing greater headway, wearing seatbelts, and avoiding driving while impaired to help prevent another surge in traffic fatalities during the upcoming eclipse.

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