Dense fog could impact weekend driving
NWS, Caltrans are encouraging caution
SACRAMENTO » Fog is expected to blanket parts of the Sacramento Valley on Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Both the NWS Sacramento office and Caltrans are advising motorists to use extra caution as they travel along roadways in the region.
The NWS forecast indicates widespread, patchy fog is possible into Saturday morning for the Sacramento Valley down to the San Joaquin Valley, while clear skies will allow morning temperatures to drop near freezing throughout the valley from Saturday to Monday.
According to Caltrans, almost three in every four traffic collisions in foggy conditions are connected to motorists driving too fast. These collisions also result
in the highest fatality rates.
Due to the fog advisory, Caltrans said motorists should anticipate delays in travel time. Caltrans suggested a few tips for drivers
navigating foggy conditions: • Reduce speed to ensure a safe stopping distance. • Drive with headlights on low beam; drive with only the parking lights or fog lights and do not use high beams in fog.
• Be cautious when crossing traffic or busy intersections; if visibility is poor, lower a window to listen for traffic. • Use windshield wipers and defrost to improve visibility. • Avoid stopping along the freeway or highway shoulders
Caltrans also advised using the “fog line” on the right shoulder as a guide when visibility is hindered. When looking to exit, the solid white line on the shoulder will veer to the right, break for a few feet and resume along the off-ramp.
Highways prone to fog will have markers that follow a three- two- one dot countdown pattern to let motorists know there is an exit ahead. On the right shoulder, drivers will see three ref lective markers 2,100 feet before the exit, two markers at 1,400 feet and one marker at 700 feet.