Safety First: Driving Safely During the Dense Fog Advisory in Central Valley
Stay safe during the dense fog advisory in Central Valley. Learn essential safety tips from experts, including correct lighting, speed control, and what to do in case of an accident.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Hanford has issued a Dense Fog Advisory effective until Thursday at noon. With visibility dropping to one-quarter mile or less—and in some cases, zero—driving conditions across the San Joaquin Valley have become extremely hazardous.
Whether you are commuting through Fresno, Bakersfield, or Merced, here is everything you need to know to stay safe.
📍 Areas Under Advisory
The advisory covers a wide range of locations, including:
Los Banos, Merced, Madera, and Mendota
Fresno, Clovis, and the West Side of Fresno County
Hanford, Lemoore, Visalia, and Porterville
Bakersfield and the South End of San Joaquin Valley
🛣️ Major Impacted Highways
If you are traveling on any of the following routes, exercise extreme caution:
State Routes: 99, 41, 43, 46, 58, 59, 140, 152, 165, 180, and 198.
💡 Expert Safety Tips for Foggy Roads
Recent incidents, including a massive 59-car pileup in Tulare County, highlight how narrow the margin is between safety and disaster. Here is advice from the NWS and veteran law enforcement officers:
1. Manage Your Speed and Distance
Slow Down: Your stopping distance increases significantly at high speeds, especially if the road is wet.
Increase Following Distance: Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front to allow for sudden braking.
2. Use Correct Lighting
Low Beams Only: Use your low beams so others can see you.
Avoid High Beams: High beams reflect off the fog and create a "white wall" effect, making it harder to see.
Daytime Running Lights are Not Enough: These often don't light up the rear of your car, making you a hazard to those behind you.
3. Stay Calm and Proactive
Anticipate hazards even if you can't see them.
If visibility becomes too low, pull over safely to a parking lot or away from the roadway and wait for conditions to improve.
🛡️ What to Do in a Crash
If you are involved in a collision:
Stay Buckled: In many cases, you are safest inside your vehicle to protect against secondary impacts.
Exit with Caution: Only exit your vehicle if you are 100% sure there is no oncoming traffic, and move as far away from the road as possible.