On Friday at 3:55 a.m. an updated dense fog advisory was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until 10 a.m. The advisory is for Inland Bryan, Coastal Bryan, Inland Chatham and Coastal Chatham as well as Jenkins, Screven, Bulloch and Effingham counties.
The NWS states, "Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog."
"Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous," comments the NWS. "If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you."
Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions
When a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread dense fog has developed and visibility can plummet to a quarter-mile or less. These conditions pose challenges for travel, so exercise extra caution on the road or consider postponing your trip if possible.
If driving through fog becomes inevitable, remember these safety guidelines:
Moderate your 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 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.
Maintain safe gaps:
Keep a considerable following distance to account for sudden stops or shifts in traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road's lane markings as a guide.
Visibility near zero:
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 there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible. Once you come to a stop, turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated so that other drivers don't mistakenly run into you.
By adhering to these NWS recommendations, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.
Source: The National Weather Service
