Current:Home > ScamsSolar eclipse warnings pile up: Watch out for danger in the sky, on the ground on April 8-LoTradeCoin
Solar eclipse warnings pile up: Watch out for danger in the sky, on the ground on April 8
View Date:2025-01-12 21:56:35
The upcoming solar eclipse, as exciting and fun as it promises to be, is also coming with a growing number of safety warnings — both for what will happen in the sky and what will happen on the ground.
In late March, we've heard warnings about potentially dangerous fake eclipse glasses, the possibility for increased car crashes around the time of the eclipse and possible air travel headaches due to delayed or cancelled flights.
Safety is always a concern around solar eclipses, when millions of people will look to the sky as the moon passes in front of the sun. Looking at the spectacular event requires special glasses to prevent eye damage. Plus, tourists from around the country will be flocking to a narrow band of land from Texas to Maine — the path of totality, where the shadow of the moon will plunge the Earth into darkness.
Warning issued about fake eclipse glasses
"Counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses are polluting the marketplace," the American Astronomical Society announced in a statement in late March.
Using fake eclipse glasses – or no glasses at all – to look at the eclipse is dangerous to your eyes: Overexposure to sunlight "can cause severe eye injury, ranging from temporarily impaired vision to permanent blindness," the AAS said. They recommend buying from a vetted vendor and testing the glasses before the eclipse.
Here's how to tell if your glasses are legit.
It's also worth noting that you may be able to score a free pair of eclipse glasses.
Bad traffic and deadly traffic accidents
Traffic is predicted to be bad and potentially deadly — especially after the eclipse ends. Millions of people will crowd into the narrow path of totality, then most will attempt to leave all at once as soon as the eclipse is over.
Experts warn the excitement could create dangerous and busy automobile traffic conditions as people pack into the small part of the country with the best view.
Roads could be especially packed at the center of the eclipse's path as Americans who want the best view crowd into cities, towns and remote areas, many without the infrastructure to handle big crowds.
In Texas, which is expected to bear the brunt of the crowds, the state's Department of Transportation is preparing highway signs that will say, “NO STOPPING ON HIGHWAY TO VIEW ECLIPSE” and “NO PARKING ON SHOULDER, KEEP MOVING.”
Crews in Texas are also pausing some road construction and maintenance work on major corridors in the path of the eclipse April 7-9, based on traffic volumes.
More:The April total solar eclipse could snarl traffic for hours across thousands of miles
When a total solar eclipse passed over the U.S. in 2017, reports say some traffic jams didn't fully clear for more than 12 hours in some areas.
Even worse, a recent study reported that the 2017 eclipse "was associated with increased risks of a fatal traffic crash" – potentially as much as a 31% increase, the study said.
Air travel also impacted
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is offering guidance to commercial planes and private aircraft ahead of the eclipse.
"Due to the high volume of traffic along the eclipse path, (airport) arrivals can expect lengthy delays during peak traffic periods," the FAA said.
Airports in Texas, Vermont, Maine, Canada, New Hampshire, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri will be primarily affected by the eclipse, the FAA said.
"The purpose of this notice is to inform airmen of the possible impacts to air traffic and airports along the eclipse path during the period April 7, 2024, (6 a.m. EST) through April 10, 2024, (midnight EST)," the FAA said.
More:What travelers should know about FAA advisory on total solar eclipse before April 8
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse and Kayla Jimenez, USA TODAY
veryGood! (82661)
Related
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a long record of promoting anti-vaccine views
- A planted bomb targeting police kills 5 and wounds 20 at a bus stop in northwest Pakistan
- NFL backup QB rankings: Which teams are living dangerously with contingency plans?
- The Gilded Age and the trouble with American period pieces
- Alexandra Daddario Shares Candid Photo of Her Postpartum Body 6 Days After Giving Birth
- Pelosi bashes No Labels as perilous to our democracy and threat to Biden
- Pulling an all-nighter is a temporary antidepressant
- Texas Rangers and their fans celebrate World Series title with parade in Arlington
- Social media star squirrel euthanized after being taken from home tests negative for rabies
- Lisa Marie Presley Called Out “Vengeful” Priscilla Movie Before Her Death
Ranking
- Insurance magnate pleads guilty as government describes $2B scheme
- Grandma surprised by Navy grandson photobombing a family snapshot on his return from duty
- Michigan fires Stalions, football staffer at center of sign-stealing investigation, AP source says
- Senate confirms Jack Lew as U.S. ambassador to Israel in 53-43 vote
- Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn ends retirement, plans to return to competition
- Eric Trump wraps up testimony in fraud trial, with Donald Trump to be sworn in Monday
- Why Kendall Jenner Was Ready for Bad Bunny to Hop Into Her Life
- Star of David symbols spray-painted on Paris buildings under investigation by authorities in France
Recommendation
-
One person is dead after a shooting at Tuskegee University
-
Judges toss lawsuit targeting North Dakota House subdistricts for tribal nations
-
Businessman sentenced in $180 million bank fraud that paid for lavish lifestyle, classic cars
-
Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah leader threatens escalation with Israel as its war with Hamas rages on
-
Ford agrees to pay up to $165 million penalty to US government for moving too slowly on recalls
-
Malcolm X arrives — finally — at New York's Metropolitan Opera
-
Officials identify two workers — one killed, one still missing — after Kentucky coal plant collapse
-
Taliban appeal to Afghan private sector to help those fleeing Pakistan’s mass deportation drive