The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 2:18 a.m. on Tuesday for fog until 4:30 a.m. for Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable and Dukes counties.
“Increasing south winds brought higher humidity onshore, resulting in low clouds and fog across portions of Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts this morning. Visibility could be reduced in places to one quarter mile or less at times. Travelers should be prepared for rapid drops in visibility. Slow down and leave extra time to reach your destination safely,” says the weather service.
Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels
If you need to drive through fog, remember these safety guidelines:
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 lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you 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:
- To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.
Visibility near zero:
- 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 weather service precautions, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring your personal safety.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
