The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 7:14 a.m. on Friday for fog until 11 a.m. The alert is for Coastal Nassau, Coastal Duval and Northeast Coastal St. Johns.

“Local webcams and observations indicate that dense sea fog has developed along the northeast Florida and southeast Georgia beaches early this morning. Due to these areas of dense fog, motorists should remain alert for sudden changes in visibility, especially over bridges and also near low spots, marshes, rivers, creeks or lakes. Fog is expected to dissipate by the late morning hours at area beaches as southerly winds gradually strengthen,” says the NWS.

Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels

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 matters:

• 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 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 strategy:

• 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