A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Saturday at 7:25 a.m. for dense fog until 8:30 a.m. The alert is for Inland Volusia, Coastal Volusia, Inland Northern Brevard, Mainland Northern Brevard and Northern Brevard Barrier Islands as well as Osceola County.
“Roadway cameras and sensors are reporting patchy dense fog this morning across portions of Volusia, northern Brevard, and rural Osceola counties. If you encounter dense fog, slow down, use your low-beam headlights, and increase following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. Fog will burn off within an hour or so after sunrise,” states the NWS.
Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels
If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:
Moderate your speed:
• Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip to reach your destination safely.
Visibility matters:
• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If you have fog lights, use them.
Avoid high-beams:
• Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.
Keep your distance:
• Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.
Zero visibility protocol:
• In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.
No parking options:
• If no designated parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible. Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
By adhering to these precautions from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring your personal safety.
Source: The National Weather Service
