The National Weather Service issued an updated dense fog advisory at 3 a.m. on Friday in effect until 7 a.m. The advisory is for Coastal Bryan, Inland Chatham and Coastal Chatham as well as Liberty and McIntosh counties.
The NWS describes, "Visibility one quarter to one half mile in dense fog."
"Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous," explains the NWS. "If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you."
Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS
If a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread dense fog has developed and visibility often drops to just a quarter-mile or less. These conditions can make driving challenging, so exercise extreme caution on the road, and if possible, consider delaying your trip.
If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the NWS in mind:
Moderate your 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.
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.
Zero visibility strategy:
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 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
