A dense fog advisory was issued by the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 9:05 a.m. The advisory is for Upper St. Martin, Lower St. Martin, West Cameron, East Cameron, Northern Calcasieu, Northern Jefferson Davis, Northern Acadia, Upper Vermilion, Upper Iberia, Upper St. Mary, Southern Calcasieu, Southern Jefferson Davis, Southern Acadia, Lower Vermilion, Lower Iberia, Lower St. Mary, Northern Jasper, Northern Newton, Southern Jasper and Southern Newton as well as Vernon, Beauregard, Allen, Lafayette, Tyler, Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties.

The NWS comments, “Visibility less than a 1/4 of a mile in dense fog.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” comments the NWS. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.”

Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels

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 you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:

Reduce 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.

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 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.

Limited 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