Total solar eclipse drives a brief surge in traffic accidents, analysis shows

There was a notable increase in fatal car crashes in the United States during the 2017 total solar eclipse, according to an analysis. The study found a 31% rise in traffic risks during the eclipse, similar to increases seen around other holidays. On average, this accounted for one additional crash-involved person every 25 minutes and one extra crash fatality every 95 minutes. The risk was not attributed to the eclipse itself but to the increased number of people traveling. The analysis showed that the heightened risk occurred in the hours before and after the eclipse, with the hours after being particularly dangerous. Clear weather seemed to exacerbate the risk.