The National Weather Service issued a report at 5:20 a.m. on Thursday for dense fog until 9 a.m.
"Patchy dense fog enhanced by the smoke plume from the Biolabs fire may restrict visibilities to one mile or less in a portion of Rockdale County. The area most likely to see impacts includes the city of Conyers and a portion on Interstate 20 between Conyers and Collinsville. Visibility reductions should improve by 9 a.m. Wednesday. If driving this morning, slow down, use low-beam headlights and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you," according to 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 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 lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.
Maintain safe gaps:
• Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
• To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road's lane markings as a guide.
Zero visibility strategy:
• 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 remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
By adhering to these NWS precautions, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring your personal safety.
Source: The National Weather Service
