Sorry, did you think I was going to finish the song lyric? Well you're mistaken! In fact the weather is just that, frightful. As we have come to expect every year, the valley fog is back! It's our version of snow in case you are reading from other parts of the country.
As a child I couldn't ask for anything better than the additional hour and a half of sleep on foggy day schedule. But as an adult, I think the fog stinks, which is why I am still petitioning for workplace foggy day schedules, but that's a whole different story.
So, as we all continue to venture off to work, school, or to start on our holiday shopping (yes, I had to throw that link in there) let's not forget to be a little more cautious while on the roads by following these delightful tips...
- Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more.
- Reduce your speed -- and watch your speedometer. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding.
- Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.
- Use wipers and defrosters as necessary for maximum visibility.
- Use the right edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
- Be patient. Do not pass lines of traffic.
- Do not stop on a freeway or heavily traveled road. If your car stalls or becomes disabled, turn your vehicle's lights off, and take your foot off of the brake pedal. People tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog. Move away from the vehicle to avoid injury.
See, you learn something new everyday! Now what are you waiting for, go online to www.redcross.org and buy yourself an emergency preparedness kit for your car, so you too can Be Red Cross Ready this Winter!
