Los Angeles County beaches is the focus of a dense fog advisory issued at 12:27 a.m. on Monday by the National Weather Service. The advisory is in effect until 9 a.m.
The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA adds to expect, “Visibility one quarter mile or less in dense fog.”
“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” according to the NWS. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you. If you decide to leave the roadway due to thick dense fog, pull completely and as far off the roadway as possible and turn off your lights.”
The full list of affected locations includes:
- Malibu
- Los Angeles County Beaches
- San Luis Obispo County Beaches
- Santa Barbara County Central Coast Beaches
- Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast
- Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast
- Ventura County Beaches
Fog safety: Tips from the NWS for safe travels
When a dense fog advisory is issued for your area, it means that widespread dense fog has developed and visibility can plummet to a quarter-mile or less. These conditions pose challenges for travel, so exercise extra caution on the road or consider postponing your trip if possible.
If driving through fog becomes inevitable, remember these safety guidelines:
Reduce 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 available, employ your fog lights.
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:
Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.
Zero visibility strategy:
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 remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
By adhering to these precautions from the NWS, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the likelihood of accidents and ensuring your personal safety.