A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 4:01 a.m. for dense fog until 8 a.m. The alert is for Inland Volusia, Northern Lake County, Coastal Volusia and Southern Lake County as well as Seminole County.
“Patchy dense fog continues to expand across east central Florida early this morning. Visibility reductions below 1 mile can be seen on local traffic cameras as of around 4 a.m., including on I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. These conditions are forecast to continue through sunrise. Use caution overnight and during the morning commute. If you encounter fog, slow down, use only your low beam headlights, and increase your following distance,” states the NWS.
Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions
If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the NWS in mind:
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 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:
• Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.
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 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 recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.
Source: The National Weather Service
