A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Thursday at 6:39 a.m. for dense fog until 9 a.m. The alert is for Inland Northern Brevard, Inland Indian River, Inland St. Lucie, Inland Martin, Mainland Northern Brevard, Inland Southern Brevard and Mainland Southern Brevard as well as Orange, Osceola and Okeechobee counties.

“Roadway reports and satellite observations indicate patchy dense fog is occurring early this morning, particularly in the vicinity of the St Johns River in Brevard, Orange, and Osceola counties, as well as the inland Treasure Coast and Okeechobee County. 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.

Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS

If you need to drive through fog, remember these safety guidelines:

Moderate your speed:

• Slow down and allocate extra travel time 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 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:

• 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 remaining in the correct lane.

Zero visibility strategy:

• 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 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 remain unlit, minimizing the chance 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