The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 3:41 a.m. on Tuesday for dense fog until 7 a.m. The alert is for Inland Flagler, Coastal Duval, Eastern Clay, Eastern Putnam, Coastal Flagler, Eastern Marion, Western Clay, Northeast Coastal St. Johns, Western Putnam, Central Marion, South Central Duval, Southeast Coastal St. Johns, Northern Inland St. Johns, Southern Inland St. Johns and Western St. Johns.

“Patchy dense fog has developed over portions of the area early this morning. The fog may be occasionally dense especially around the I-95 corridor and near the St Johns River Bain based on traffic cameras and some surface observations. The foggy conditions may continue through sunrise. The nature of the fog is such that visibilities will vary greatly over short distances. Motorists should be alert for rapidly changing conditions through sunrise,” according to the NWS.

Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels

If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:

Reduce 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 also activate your taillights. If you have fog lights, use them.

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 staying in the correct lane.

Zero visibility protocol:

• 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 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