Millions Warned of Hazardous Driving Conditions Across Texas
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for dense fog across several Texas counties, with visibility potentially dropping below a quarter mile until Thursday morning. This significant reduction in visibility is expected to create dangerous driving conditions and may disrupt Thursday morning commutes.
Safety Risks and Statistics
Low visibility caused by fog contributes to over 38,700 vehicle crashes annually, according to the Department of Transportation. Due to these risks, the NWS urges drivers to take extra precautions.
NWS Safety Recommendations
- Reduce speed while driving.
- Use low beam headlights instead of high beams.
- Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
- In extremely dense fog, turn on hazard lights and pull over safely.
- If stopping on the roadside or hard shoulder, turn off all lights except hazards, apply the handbrake, and wait for the fog to clear.
Regional Impact
The dense fog is forecast to reduce visibility to a quarter mile or less overnight Wednesday through Thursday morning, affecting most of East Texas.
“A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for most of east Texas through 9 a.m. Thursday as patchy, dense fog will lead to reduced visibility overnight and on the morning commute into work and school.” – Brad Hlozek, Chief Meteorologist, KTRE-TV ABC 9
Summary: Dense fog across East Texas is expected to cause hazardous driving with poor visibility, prompting urgent safety warnings to minimize accident risks during morning commutes.