The National Weather Service issued a report at 4:38 a.m. on Friday for dense fog until 9 a.m. The alert is for Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns, Chattooga, Gordon, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin, White and Floyd counties.
“Some patchy dense fog will restrict visibilities to one-quarter of a mile across or less in portions of far north Georgia, most likely in valleys and lower elevation areas. 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,” says the NWS.
Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels
If you need to drive through fog, remember these safety guidelines:
Moderate your speed:
• Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Visibility priority:
• Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights. Utilize fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with 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 a safe 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 staying in the correct lane.
Visibility near zero:
• In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and 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 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