On Sunday at 9:57 p.m. the National Weather Service released a dense fog advisory in effect until Monday Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. for Santa Clara Valley Including San Jose.
The NWS San Francisco CA states to prepare for, “Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.”
“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” 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.”
Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels
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 driving in fog becomes unavoidable, remember these safety tips:
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.
Keep your 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.
Zero visibility strategy:
In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a 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 recommendations from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.
For more weather alerts in the Bay Area, visit Weather Advisories