While Americans make plans to view Monday’s solar eclipse, the Virginia Department of Transportation is making its own plans to ensure that motorists stay safe.
With concerns of people looking up toward the sky, the Virginia Department of Transportation is urging motorists to keep their eyes on the road during the eclipse and view the solar event in safe locations, VDOT spokeswoman Anissa Rafeh said.
Solar eclipses can be seen from the various parts of Earth every few years, but Monday’s total solar eclipse is the first to pass over Virginia since 1918. Some Virginians are traveling, and others are finding comfortable locations nearby to view the eclipse.
VDOT will be displaying safety messages on its “changeable message signs” on Sunday and before the eclipse Monday, Rafeh said. The eclipse will occur in the Williamsburg area at 2:46 p.m.
“The messages will focus on cautioning motorists to not park on the shoulders or ramps of highways to view or photograph the eclipse,” Rafeh said. Messages will also remind travelers to exit their vehicles safely at their chosen viewing location.
The signs aren’t the only action VDOT is taking to keep motorists focused on driving. VDOT is going to tweet, hashtag and post on Facebook to warn motorists not to drive distracted, according to Rafeh.
If eclipse-viewers are traveling, VDOT recommends arriving at the viewing destination at least one day — but preferably two days — in advance, and leaving one day late, she said.
