Eclipse day safety tips: What experts say

Robbie Heriman
·2 min read
Eclipse day safety tips: What experts say

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – With the long anticipated total solar eclipse around the corner, officials are sharing advice to stay safe this weekend and Monday.

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TxDOT released a statement warning residents of some East Texas areas that they anticipate will see heavy traffic on Monday. TxDOT listed the following roads for potential heavy traffic:

  • I-20

  • State Highway 64

  • State Highway 31

  • US 175

  • State Highway 198

  • US 69

  • State Highway 19

  • State Highway 155

  • Loop 323

  • US 79

  • US 271

  • US 80

  • State Highway 243

“As this intergalactic experience comes front and center, out-of-state visitors and Texans traveling to get a perfect view are expected to cause heavier traffic than usual. Plan ahead for possible delays and give yourself extra time to get to your destination before and after the eclipse,” TxDOT said

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TxDOT also urged residents that may be on the road during the eclipse to not attempt viewing the eclipse while driving or pulling over to the shoulder to view the eclipse, they recommend parking into a safe location away from the road. They also advised to ensure that drivers and their vehicles are both prepared to potentially spend extra time on the road.

Texas A&M Forest Service provided ways to be aware of the environment during the eclipse. They reminded outdoors eclipse-watchers to make sure that their vehicles are not parked on the roots of trees, to travel on designated roads and to make sure not to park or idle over tall dry grass.

It is also important that proper eyewear is used to view the eclipse.  The American Astronomy Society (AAS) said that viewing lenses have to be certified in compliance with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard in order to be considered safe for eclipse viewing.

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The AAS said that the safest way to ensure that eclipse glasses meet certification requirements is to obtain them from a trusted source, such as a science museum or planetarium.

Officials also said that while it is impossible to verify ISO-compliance without lab testing, it is easy to check if lenses are not safe for viewing. The AAS said that ISO-compliant glasses should block all light except for the sun, or a comparably bright light.

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