A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Friday at 11:16 p.m. for dense fog until Saturday at 4:15 a.m. for Dillon, Florence, Marion, Williamsburg, Horry and Georgetown counties.
“Patchy dense fog may affect your travels across the Bi-State region tonight into early Saturday morning. Motorists may encounter these pockets of dense fog with rapidly changing visibilities expected. Immediately slow down, use your low beam headlights and allow extra braking distance between you and the vehicle ahead. A cold front will drop south across the area during the pre-dawn Saturday hours. In its wake, northeast winds will increase enough to mix out the fog as cooler and drier air infiltrates the region,” according to the weather service.
This alert is in effect until Saturday at 4:15 a.m.
Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels
If you need to drive through fog, remember these safety guidelines:
Reduce speed:Slow down and allocate extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Visibility matters: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 a safe 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.
Visibility near zero:In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.
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 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.
