The National Weather Service issued a report at 4:07 a.m. on Friday for dense fog until 9 a.m. The alert is for Hancock, Warren, Jones, Baldwin, Washington, Glascock, Jefferson, Bibb, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Johnson, Emanuel, Peach, Houston, Bleckley, Laurens, Treutlen, Dooly, Crisp, Pulaski, Wilcox, Dodge, Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery and Toombs counties.
“Patchy dense fog will restrict visibilities to less than one-half of a mile across portions of east-central Georgia. The fog should lift after 9 a.m. If driving this morning, slow down, use low-beam headlights and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you,” describes 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:
Moderate your speed:
• Slow down and allocate extra travel time 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 available, employ your fog lights.
Avoid high-beams:
• Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.
Keep your distance:
• Keep a considerable following distance to account for sudden stops or shifts in traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
• Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.
Zero visibility protocol:
• In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.
Limited 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 more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.
Source: The National Weather Service