A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 5:45 a.m. for dense fog until 9 a.m. The alert is for Inland Volusia, Coastal Volusia, Coastal Indian River, Coastal St. Lucie, Coastal Martin, Inland Northern Brevard, Inland Indian River, Inland St. Lucie, Inland Martin, Mainland Northern Brevard, Northern Brevard Barrier Islands, Inland Southern Brevard, Mainland Southern Brevard and Southern Brevard Barrier Islands.

“Surface and satellite observations, along with traffic cameras and roadway reports, indicate patchy dense fog forming along the Interstate 95 corridor this morning. Visibility may rapidly drop below one mile at times, especially when fog combines with settling smoke from recent fires. If encountering dense fog on area roadways, slow down, increase your following distance, and use low-beam headlights. Visibility will improve by mid morning as fog begins to dissipate,” 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 allocate extra time for your trip 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 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.

Maintain safe gaps:

• 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 staying in the correct lane.

Visibility near zero:

• In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a 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 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