Eclipse day warning for Kansas drivers: ‘No parking on highway’

Digital billboards on the Kansas Turnpike near Lawrence have recently carried a message cautioning drivers to expect increased traffic today heading in and out of the Kansas City area — part of which lies in the path of totality for the solar eclipse, expected to peak a little after 1 p.m. today.

Those digital billboards now flash “No parking on highway,” “Solar eclipse today.” Other billboards along major thoroughfares, at least in the Kansas City area, had the same message this morning.

If you were driving in the middle of the eclipse, I imagine it would be tempting to pull over to take a look. At the same time, on a highway where the speed limit is 75 mph the billboard warnings are probably prudent.

This morning eastbound traffic heading through Lawrence toward Kansas City on the Turnpike was heavier than usual but not drastically so, from what I observed on my westbound commute in to Lawrence. A co-worker of mine who drove back to Lawrence Sunday evening from Wichita said she also found herself in more traffic than usual — and not surprisingly, also saw lots of out-of-state license plates.

The Kansas Department of Transportation also has shared some eclipse day driving safety tips on its Twitter feed, including:

• Watch for eclipse-watching pedestrians walking where they shouldn’t be;

• Don’t take photos while driving;

• And don’t wear the special eclipse glasses while driving.

— I’m the Journal-World’s public safety reporter. Reach me by email at sshepherd@ljworld.com or by phone at 785-832-7187. I’m also on Twitter, @saramarieshep.