A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 4:17 a.m. for fog until 9 a.m. The alert is for Inland Glynn, Inland Camden, Northern Ware, Northeastern Charlton, Southern Ware and Western Charlton as well as Coffee, Jeff Davis, Bacon, Appling, Wayne, Atkinson, Pierce, Brantley, Echols and Clinch counties.
“Morning fog will continue to develop through sunrise and bring periods of visibility 1 mile or less at times across parts of inland southeast Georgia and northeast Florida. Motorists along Interstate 10 between Lake City and Jacksonville as well as Interstate 75 from Valdosta southward to Lake City will be impacted by the intermittent visibility restrictions. Please slow down and allow extra space between vehicles where visibility is reduced. The fog will lift by 9 am,” according to the NWS.
Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions
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 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.
Keep your 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 staying in the correct lane.
Zero visibility protocol:
• In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over 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 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