A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Monday at 9:11 p.m. for dense fog until Tuesday at 5:15 a.m. The alert is for Hall, Banks, Jackson, Madison, Gwinnett, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Walton, Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Putnam, Hancock and Warren counties.
"Patchy dense fog will restrict visibilities to less than one-half mile across portions of northeast Georgia tonight. This area will likely expand farther through the night, and a Dense Fog Advisory may be needed later tonight. 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.
Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels
If you need to drive through fog, remember these safety guidelines:
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 available, employ your fog lights.
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:
• 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.
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.
Limited 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 recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.
Source: The National Weather Service