A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 8:22 a.m. for patchy fog until 10 a.m. for Northern El Paso County/Monument Ridge/Rampart Range below 7,500 ft.
“A few pockets of dense fog are being reported across portions of northern El Paso County this morning, mainly confined to the Palmer Divide. A quick reduction in visibility to under one-quarter of a mile is likely when encountering the denser fog. When traveling, be prepared for rapidly fluctuating visibilities in short distances. Use your low beam settings on your vehicles headlights and allow for plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you,” states the NWS.
Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS
If you need to drive through fog, remember these safety guidelines:
Reduce 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.
Keep your distance:
• Leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you to account for sudden stops or changes in the traffic pattern.
Stay in your lane:
• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.
Zero visibility protocol:
• 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.
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 recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.
Source: The National Weather Service