A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 3:29 a.m. for dense fog until 8:15 a.m. The alert is for Inland Bryan, Coastal Bryan, Inland Chatham, Coastal Chatham, Inland Liberty, Coastal Liberty, Inland McIntosh and Coastal McIntosh as well as Jenkins, Screven, Candler, Bulloch, Effingham, Tattnall, Evans and Long counties.

“Patchy areas of fog have begun to develop over southeastern GA and the SC Lowcountry and is expected to expand early this morning across the region. The fog may become locally dense, reducing visibilities on roadways. A Dense Fog Advisory may be needed for portions of the forecast area,” comments the NWS.

The NWS adds, “If driving, slow down and leave extra distance ahead of you in case a sudden stop is needed.”

Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS

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

Moderate your speed:

• Slow down and allocate extra travel time to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

• 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.

Maintain safe gaps:

• Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting 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 extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.

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