At 8:01 a.m. Monday, a Dense Fog Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service in effect until 11 a.m. for the Northern Oregon Coast Range Lowlands, Central Coast Range Lowlands of Oregon, the lower Columbia River, the Tualatin Valley, the west-central Willamette Valley and Benton County. Lane County Lowlands and Lowlands.

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

“Low visibility could make driving conditions dangerous,” adds 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 precautions:

Reduce speed:

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

Visibility matters:

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:

Maintain a generous following distance to account for sudden stops or changes in traffic.

Stay in your lane:

To ensure you stay in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.

Zero Visibility Protocol:

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

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 recommendations from the weather service, you will be able to 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.