San Francisco Peninsula Coast, Northern Monterey Bay and Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast are included in a dense fog advisory issued by the National Weather Service on Monday at 6:47 a.m. The advisory is in effect until 10 a.m.
The NWS San Francisco CA states to be ready for, “Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.”
“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous. Limited visibility will result in hazardous driving conditions,” according to the NWS. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. If commuting, allow extra drive time to reach your destination safely. Widespread dense fog will have the potential to reduce visibility to below one-quarter of a mile. Use your low beam headlights, slow down, and be prepared for periods of hazardous driving conditions due to poor visibility. If possible, consider avoiding travel across the region. If you must travel, allow extra drive time to reach your destination safely.”
Navigating fog: Safety tips by the NWS
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 allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Visibility matters:
Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights. Utilize fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.
Avoid high-beams:
Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.
Keep a safe distance:
Maintain a significant following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifts in traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.
Visibility near zero:
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 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 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.