An updated report from the National Weather Service was issued on Tuesday at 8:04 a.m. for dense fog until 10 a.m. The alert is for Coastal Indian River, Coastal St. Lucie, 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 slowly burn off through mid morning,” according to the NWS.

Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS

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

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 automatically activate your taillights. Utilize fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.

Avoid high-beams:

• Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility 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 remaining in the correct lane.

Zero visibility protocol:

• In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.

Limited 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 are not illuminated, reducing the risk 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