Safety agency urges drivers to focus on road, not eclipse

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging motorists to be careful if they have to drive during Monday’s eclipse.

“Other drivers may be clogging the roads,” the agency said in a post Sunday on X, formerly Twitter. “Drive slower to keep safe and stay alert.”

NHTSA also recommended that drivers pull over to a safe area, like a parking lot, if they want to watch the eclipse, instead of the side of the road.

“Don’t expect sunglasses to protect from harmful effects,” it added.

The total solar eclipse will cross the U.S. on Monday afternoon, offering a rare moment for the moon to completely cover the sun. Millions of people across 13 states, mostly in the middle of the country and the eastern coastline, will be in the path of totality for the celestial phenomena, while others will experience a partial eclipse.

Prices for lodging across the eclipse path have surged because of the influx of travelers in the path of totality, another signal of potential roadway issues.

“In addition to your cool safety glasses, remember these travel safety tips,” NHTSA said in a Monday post on X.

“Stay focused on the road and not your surroundings,” it recommended.

The post prompted some online to urge people to walk and avoid driving at all during the eclipse.