On Monday, Aug. 21, with the first total solar eclipse visible to the continental U. S. in nearly 40 years happening. Therefore, many states in the path of the total eclipse have supplied restrictions to truckers.
The eclipse will be noticeable in almost every state of the contiguous U.S., however, at least portions of 14 states will see a total eclipse where the sun will be fully blocked out by the moon amount three minutes in the middle of the day.
The DOT of the U.S. also issued tips as well as warnings for all truckers, including truck operators.
The first point of contact will be at Lincoln Beach, Ore., just after 9 a.m. Pacific, according to NASA. The eclipse will cross through Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Kansas, Georgia, South Carolina and North over the next hour-and-a-half.
Here are a number of tips that the FHA (Federal Highway Administration) offers for the truck drivers who will be on the path during the event:
1. Do not park on the shoulder or stop along the interstate
2. Exit the freeway to a safer location to see the eclipse
3. Do not take photos during driving
4. Do not wear eclipse glasses during driving
5. Turn the headlights on
6. Watch for pedestrians on smaller roads
7. Get prepared for additional congestion the day off, the day before as well as the day after the path of eclipse
8. If it is possible to avoid travel in the area of the main path
Besides the FHWA’s tips, Idaho, Nebraska, Colorado, and Oregon are placing limitations on overweight/oversize loads during eclipse around days.
Other over-dimensional loads with permits, including triples, will still be permitted. Some scale places may not be available for use by truck drivers during the eclipse says ODOT.
The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles is limiting large loads as well, by executing a “holiday protocol. Starting Sunday, Aug. 20 at 4 p.m. and ending at dawn Aug. 22, loads exceeding 10-feet wide, 100-feet long or 14-feet, 6-inches tall may not drive on the interstate or state freeways south of Lewiston.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol will not issue any oversize/overweight permits on Aug. 20-22 to assist with traffic flow in Wyoming,
The Nebraska DOT is not permitting oversize loads to travel in the state from sundown on Friday, Aug. 18 until sunrise on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Colorado transportation officials are also limiting all oversize/overweight travel north of Highway 50 from Kansas to Utah, starting at sundown on Thursday, Aug. 17, and continuing through sunrise on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
