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JACKSON, MISS – The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) reminds motorists of the importance of driving safe on state highways and interstates during the solar eclipse. Travelers throughout Mississippi and most of the country will have a chance to see the rare celestial event next week.
On Monday, April 8, the moon will pass between the sun and the earth, blocking out a large portion of the sun’s light in Mississippi, causing a solar eclipse. The center of the eclipse will enter the United States in Texas and travel northeast through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. While Mississippi will not be in the path of totality, observers could see anywhere from 85 to 95 percent obscurity of the sun when it passes over the state.
The eclipse peak is expected to occur just before 2 p.m. in most areas of the state. The moon will begin blocking the sun’s path around 12:30 p.m. and is expected to fully clear the sun’s path by approximately 3 p.m. Motorists can expect the sky to become dark, as if it were dusk for several minutes.
Mississippi motorists should make plans early to determine where they will view the eclipse, where they will stay and how best to avoid extra traffic congestion. Motorists are NOT allowed to park along the shoulders or ramps of Mississippi highways to view the eclipse.
MDOT offers the following travel tips for the day of the eclipse.
• Don’t stop along the interstate or park on the shoulder during the event.
• Exit the highway to a safe location to view the eclipse.
• Don’t take photographs while driving!
• Don’t wear opaque eclipse glasses while operating a vehicle.
• Turn your headlights on — do not rely on your automatic headlights when the eclipse blocks out the sun.
• Watch out for pedestrians along smaller roads. People may be randomly parking and walking alongside the road in the hours of the eclipse to get the best view.
• Prepare for extra congestion, especially on the interstates in the path on the day before, day of and day after the eclipse.
• Avoid travel during the eclipse or in the area of the main path if you can.
MageeNews.com is the online news source for Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
