At 2:41 a.m. Wednesday, a Dense Fog Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service, in effect until 9 a.m. for West Central Willamette Valley, East Central Willamette Valley, Benton County Lowlands, Lower lands of Linn County and the lowlands of Lane County.

The weather service says: “Visibility a quarter mile or less at times in dense fog.”

“Low visibility could make driving conditions dangerous,” explains the weather service. “If you are driving, slow down and leave a large distance ahead. Pedestrians and cyclists should wear bright or reflective clothing to increase the chance of being seen by others in poor visibility conditions.”

Sailing in fog: safety tips from the weather service

When a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread, dense fog has developed and visibility may drop to a quarter mile or less. These conditions pose travel challenges, so use extreme caution on the road or consider postponing your trip if possible.

If driving in fog becomes unavoidable, remember these safety tips:

Reduce speed:

Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.

Visibility priority:

Make sure your vehicle is visible to others by using low beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, use your fog lights.

Avoid high beams:

Avoid using high beams, as they create glare that affects your visibility on the road.

Maintain safe spaces:

Keep a considerable following distance to account for sudden stops or changes in traffic.

Stay in your lane:

Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to stay on track.

Visibility near zero:

If visibility is near zero due to dense fog, turn on your hazard lights and locate a safe place, such as a nearby company parking lot, to pull over and pull over.

Limited parking options:

If no parking area is available, park your vehicle as far from the side of the road as possible. Once stopped, turn off all lights except the hazard warning lights, engage the emergency brake and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of d other drivers collide with your stationary vehicle.

By adhering to these weather service recommendations, you can navigate in safer foggy conditions, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.

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.