The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 3:54 a.m. on Tuesday for dense fog until 8 a.m. The alert is for Brantley, Camden, Ware and Charlton counties.
"Dense fog that has overspread the Suwannee Valley and the Okefenokee Swamp overnight was poised to push eastward across the U.S. Highway 301 corridor during the predawn hours, with this bank of dense fog expected to cross the Interstate 95 corridor towards sunrise this morning. The southern extent of the dense fog will likely set up between Gainesville and St. Augustine, with the northern extent of the dense fog approaching or remaining just south of Brunswick and the Golden Isles after sunrise. Dense Fog may linger along the Interstate 10 and 95 corridors through the mid-morning hours, and Dense Fog Advisories will be extended eastward during the predawn hours into metropolitan Jacksonville as this bank of dense fog continues to move eastward. Use extra caution and plan for longer commute times if traveling along the I-10 or I-95 corridors this morning. Use your low beam headlights and make sure to leave plenty of distance between the vehicle in front of you," says the NWS.
Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels
If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:
Moderate your speed:
• Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip 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.
Keep your distance:
• 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 protocol:
• 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.
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 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
