A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 3:29 a.m. for dense fog until 9 a.m. The alert is for South Fulton as well as Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Chattooga, Gordon, Pickens, Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Polk, Paulding, Cobb, Haralson, Carroll, Douglas, Heard, Coweta, Troup, Meriwether and Harris counties.

“Some patchy dense fog will restrict visibilities to less than one mile across parts of northwest and west central Georgia early this morning. The fog should begin to lift by 9 a.m. 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.

Guidance from the NWS for navigating foggy conditions

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

Reduce 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 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 your distance:

• 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:

• Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.

Zero visibility strategy:

• In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, initiate your hazard lights and locate a secure spot, such as a nearby business parking area, to pull over and come to a halt.

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 with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents and prioritizing your well-being.

Source: The National Weather Service