Car crashes in U.S. more likely on election day

Election day is more dangerous than New Year’s Eve with regard to car crashes, says Sunnybrook researcher Dr. Donald Redelmeier.

That’s the message he shared on the latest "Tell Me Something I Don’t Know" podcast, produced by Freakonomics Radio and the New York Times.

Dr. Redelmeier’s research found that there was about a 19% increase in life-threatening traffic fatalities on election days compared to the normal Tuesday in the United States.

According to Dr. Redelmeier, this is “likely a combination between more driving, more rushing, more distractions, altered pathways and unfit motorists.”

Learn more about his research and listen to the podcast (Dr. Redelmeier starts around the 17 minute mark).