The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 7:11 a.m. on Sunday for dense fog until 9:15 a.m. The alert is for Eastern Hamilton, Western Hamilton, Western Alachua, Northern Columbia, Southeastern Columbia and Southwestern Columbia as well as Suwannee and Gilchrist counties.
“Patchy dense fog has developed across the area, and may reduce visibilities to less than one quarter mile at times. Due to the patchy nature of the fog, visibilities may change rapidly over short distances while driving. This fog will gradually dissipate this morning,” 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 allocate 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:
• 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.
Limited parking options:
• If no parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far to the roadside as possible. Once stationary, turn off 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 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
