Full Moon Causes Motorcycle Accidents, States New Study — We Explain

The Professors used data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (tracks fatalities on US roads) of the United States National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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They analysed every full moon from 1975 to 2014 (494 full moons), and they looked up the fatal crashes from 4 PM to midnight and from midnight to 8 AM. In addition to this, they compiled the number of road fatalities on nights a week earlier and a week later, ultimately creating 988 test nights (without full moon).

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The results are - 13,029 fatalities in total, an average of 9 deaths per full moon night compared to almost 8 without full moon. Or, to put simply, one person more dies during a full moon, than on a regular night. The 65 Supermoon (moon is closest and brightest) nights gave almost 11 fatal crashes as result.

They tried to prove themselves wrong, by considering the rider's age, gender, helmet or motorcycle, but couldn't come up with any change in the results.

This what the team had to say, "Several aspects of attention and perception could explain an association between the full moon and motorcycle fatalities. A full moon is infrequent and spectacular, thereby creating a natural distraction. The full moon is large and bright against a dark sky, and thus provides a striking contrast of luminance. It can appear abruptly to a motorcyclist, such as when riding around buildings, through turns, past trees, and over hills.

They also added, "A full moon also creates optical illusions that engender wonderment and tends to rise above the horizon in the night hours exactly at the time motorcycle crashes generally predominate. Beyond these, a full moon might contribute to increased outdoor activity of all types, including more frequent travel, faster speeds, longer distances, unfamiliar routes, added cross traffic, and mixtures of less experienced travelers."

DriveSpark Thinks!
The theory that full moon nights cause accidents, when heard for the first time, seems really sceptical. However, the professors have done enough research to prove this rather interesting concept. So, the next time you go for a ride during a full moon, watch out!