Total Eclipse 2017 in North Carolina: State Preps For Busy Day, Offering Driving Tips

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The total eclipse coming through the Carolinas Aug. 21 is causing a lot of excitement. But North Carolina officials have some words of advice for the historical event, like don’t take photos while driving. And for goodness sake, don’t drive while wearing your eclipse glasses.

August 21's total solar eclipse transiting across a portion of western North Carolina and a significant portion of central South Carolina promises to offer some of the longest periods of totality in the country during the coast-to-coast event, prompting an expectation that hundreds of thousands of people will be traveling to the Carolinas to check out the once-in-a-lifetime astronomical occurrence.

The total solar eclipse will be visible in western North Carolina beginning at 2:33 p.m. in Cherokee, Graham, Swain, Clay, Macon, Jackson and Transylvania counties. All other counties in the state are expected to have a partial eclipse of 90 percent or more.

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Eclipse peepers should arrive early, stay put and leave late, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. State officials also warn against using fake solar eclipse glasses, which could lead to eye damage.

NCDOT suggests the following:

Arrive Early

• Plan ahead if you want to view the total eclipse. Know where you want to be and make arrangements for accommodations as soon as possible.
• Expect higher traffic volumes beforehand. Large crowds will gather in the seven North Carolina counties in the path of totality. There will be many travelers on the state's highway system headed to South Carolina.
• Get to your viewing location well in advance of the eclipse.
• NCDOT will suspend most road construction projects and lane closures beginning Aug. 19 through Aug. 22.

Stay Put

• Watch out for pedestrians on secondary roads and city streets. People may be randomly parking and walking along roadsides as they search for a viewing spot.
• Watch out for distracted drivers around you.
• Do not try to view the eclipse or take photographs while driving.
• Turn on your headlights if driving during the eclipse. Even in partial totality, it will become dark outside.
• Do not stop along the interstate or park on the shoulder to view the eclipse. Exit the roadway and park in a safe spot.
• Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving.

Leave Late

• Most people viewing the eclipse will try to depart for home immediately afterward, much like the end of a sporting event or concert.
• Motorists – especially in the westernmost counties – should expect heavy traffic congestion following the eclipse.
• Drivers may want to detour or postpone a trip immediately following the eclipse.
• Expect extra congestion on interstates and other primary routes on the day of and the day after the eclipse.
• Get real-time traffic updates at DriveNC.gov or dial 511.

You can find more tips for viewing the total eclipse in the Carolinas here.

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Patch Editor J.R. Lind contributed to this report.

Photos courtesy of NASA