At 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a weather alert for Inner Portland Metro that would last until 6 a.m. on Monday due to heavy fog.
“Overnight until early Monday morning, areas of intense fog will mostly affect Clackamas County in the Portland metro region. This encompasses Happy Valley, Milwaukie, Lake Oswego, and Oregon City. At times, visibility will be limited to a quarter mile or less, and poor visibility may make driving dangerous in certain areas. East winds out of the Columbia River Gorge will keep most areas in Multnomah County and the City of Portland clean. When driving through strong fog, reduce your speed and give yourself plenty of space. To improve their chances of being noticed by others in low visibility, cyclists and pedestrians should dress in reflective or bright clothes, the weather agency advises.
Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels
The following safety precautions should be kept in mind if you must drive through fog:
Go at a moderate pace:
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Slow down and allocate extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Priority for visibility:
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Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.
Steer clear of high beams:
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Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.
Remain at a safe distance:
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Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting traffic patterns.
Remain in your lane:
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Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.
Protocol for zero visibility:
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In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.
Absence of parking choices
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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.
Following these weather service guidelines will help you drive more safely in foggy circumstances, reducing the chance of accidents and putting your health first.
United Robots offers a service called Advance Local Weather Alerts that gathers the most recent information from the National Weather Service using machine learning.
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