NY weather: Expect dense fog in Chautauqua County Saturday evening

The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 6:09 p.m. on Saturday for dense fog until 7:30 p.m. for Chautauqua County.

“Areas of dense fog over Lake Erie are moving inland and impacting portions of Chautauqua County this evening. Areas most affected are near the Lake Erie shoreline and along I-90, mainly southwest of Fredonia. Visibilities will be variable and will occasionally drop to a quarter mile or less. If you are driving, slow down and be on alert for other motorists. Low visibility shortens the amount of time you have to react to situations,” states the weather service.

Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels

If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:

Reduce speed:

• Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip 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 headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.

Maintain safe gaps:

• Keep a considerable following distance to account for sudden stops or shifts in traffic patterns.

Stay in your lane:

• Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to remaining in the correct lane.

Visibility near zero:

• In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.

No 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 weather service recommendations, you can navigate foggy conditions with greater safety, mitigating the risk of accidents…