A weather alert was issued by the National Weather Service on Tuesday at 4:22 a.m. for patchy fog until 7 a.m. for Norfolk, Suffolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties.
“Satellite, webcams and weather observations indicate patchy fog having developed near the I-95 corridor in Rhode Island and portions of eastern and southeastern Massachusetts. Morning commuters should be prepared to encounter sudden changes in visibility, as low as one-quarter mile at times. Fog is expected to dissipate by 7 a.m. this morning. Use low-beam headlights if travelling through foggy areas and allow extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you,” according to the weather service.
Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels
If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the weather service in mind:
Reduce speed:
- Slow down and allow extra travel time 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.
Maintain safe gaps:
- 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 remaining in the correct lane.
Zero visibility protocol:
- 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 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 remain unlit, minimizing the chance 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.
