A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 4:16 a.m. for dense fog until 8:15 a.m. The alert is for Inland Glynn, Inland Camden, Northern Ware, Northeastern Charlton, Southern Ware and Western Charlton as well as Coffee, Jeff Davis, Bacon, Appling, Wayne, Atkinson, Pierce, Brantley, Echols and Clinch counties.

“Patchy dense fog and low stratus has developed across inland Southeast Georgia and inland Northeast Florida early this morning. Local visibilities of one half mile or less can be expected at times through sunrise. Visibilities and low stratus should begin to dissipate between 8 am and 9 am this morning. The nature of the fog is such that visibilities will vary greatly over short distances. Motorists should be alert for rapidly changing conditions through sunrise. If driving, slow down and leave extra distance ahead of you in case a sudden stop is needed,” states the NWS.

Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels

If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the NWS in mind:

Reduce speed:

• Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

• 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 headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Keep your distance:

• Maintain a significant following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifts in traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

• Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.

Zero visibility protocol:

• In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.

No parking options:

• If there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible. Once you come to a stop, turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated so that other drivers don’t mistakenly run into you.

By adhering to these recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service