A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 1:52 a.m. for dense fog until 8 a.m. The alert is for 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 as well as Orange, Osceola and Okeechobee counties.

“Fog and low clouds can been seen on nighttime satellite imagery overspreading areas from around Orlando south and eastward to the Atlantic coast. Patchy visibility reductions below 1 mile can be seen on local traffic cameras as of around 2 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,” according to the NWS.

Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions

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

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 lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.

Maintain safe gaps:

• 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.

Visibility near zero:

• 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 recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service