Motorists should stay off the road around New Year’s Day, says the car buyer’s Dog & Lemon Guide.
Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:
“The Christmas period, including New Year’s Day, is always a high accident period. This year New Year’s Day falls on a full moon. Assuming that the studies linking antisocial behaviour and the full moon are correct, it would be a wise idea not to be on the road around New Year’s Day.”
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/173920.php
Matthew-Wilson adds:
“I’m not saying you can blame car accidents and crime on the full moon. I am saying that numerous scientific studies have shown a clear link between lunar cycles and alcohol consumption, road accidents, and crime. However, numerous scientific studies have also shown that there’s no link at all between lunar cycles and behaviour. Personally I keep an open mind.”
The evidence on both sides is compelling: scientists at Georgia State University studied 694 volunteers and noted an average 26% increase in alcohol intake at the full moon.
http://news.independentminds.livejournal.com/1098748.html
Research by British insurance company Churchill Insurance Group showed that car accidents occur 14% more often on average during a full moon.
http://io9.com/5086250/does-the-full-moon-really-make-people-crazy
However, numerous other studies have concluded that there is no link whatsoever between accidents and the full moon.
http://www.skepdic.com/fullmoon.html
Matthew-Wilson does not try to explain the apparent contradiction between studies.
“It’s a bit like the debate over whether wine drinkers live longer: there’s highly credible research suggesting they do and highly credible research suggesting they don’t. In the end, only time will tell which side is right.”
http://blakecreedon.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/wine-myths/
“One thing that is certain: the Christmas to New Year holiday period is always a more dangerous time to be on the road, regardless of the lunar cycles. It’s probably best to err on the side of caution if you’re considering a road trip around the New Year.”
