A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Monday at 6:10 a.m. for dense fog until 9:15 a.m. The alert is for Inland Liberty, Coastal Liberty, Inland McIntosh and Coastal McIntosh as well as Tattnall, Evans and Long counties.
“Patchy to areas of fog will continue to develop across parts of Southeast Georgia heading through daybreak today and could become locally dense in spots, reducing visibilities to less than 1/2 mile on roadways during the morning commute. Fog should then dissipate by mid morning, by around 9 a.m.,” says the NWS.
According to the NWS, “If driving, slow down and leave extra distance ahead of you in case a sudden stop is needed.”
Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions
If you need to drive through fog, remember these safety guidelines:
Reduce speed:
• Slow down and allow 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 a safe distance:
• Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
Stay in your lane:
• Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining 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 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