A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Wednesday at 4:26 a.m. for dense fog until 6:30 a.m. The alert is for Coastal Levy, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Inland Levy, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Pasco and Inland Hillsborough as well as Sumter County.

“At 4:25 a.m., satellite imagery and surface observations indicate fog is reducing visibilities to 1/2 mile or less at times,” says the NWS.

Locations impacted by the alert include Saint Leo, Lecanto, East Bronson, Otter Creek, Lake Lindsey, Shady Hills, Lake Panasoffkee, St. Leo, Sumterville, South Brooksville, Bushnell, Pine Ridge, Plant City Airport, Gospel Island, Floral City, Zephyrhills South, North Brooksville, Fanning Springs, Dade City and Citrus Springs. Motorists should be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Use low beam headlights, reduce your speed, and maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.

Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels

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

Moderate your speed:

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

Visibility matters:

• 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 significant following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifts in traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.

Visibility near zero:

• 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 remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.

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