An updated weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Monday at 3:23 a.m. for dense fog until 10 a.m. The alert is for Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Chattooga, Gordon, Floyd, Bartow and Polk counties.
“Some patchy dense fog will restrict visibilities to less than one-half of a mile across northwest Georgia. The fog should lift after 10 a.m. If driving this morning, slow down, use low-beam headlights and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you,” states the NWS.
Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS
If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:
Reduce 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 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.
Keep a safe distance:
• 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 remaining 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 there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible. Once you come to a stop, turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated so that other drivers don’t mistakenly run into you.
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