I-95 remains open in Brevard County

FHP alerts drivers about low visibility

Published On: Feb 01 2012 08:52:08 PM EST  Updated On: Feb 02 2012 06:32:37 AM EST
Smokey Driving Conditions

TITUSVILLE, Fla. -

Portions of Interstate 95 in Titusville remained open Thursday morning despite concerns of low visibility.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Wednesday night that closings were possible in both directions on I-95, from State Road 50 to State Road 407.

The combination of a controlled burn near the Great Outdoors RV Park near SR 50 and I-95 and the controlled burn near the Kennedy Space Center caused smoky conditions Wednesday.

Troopers said all of the smoke combined with fog Thursday morning could cause dangerous conditions on the road.

State Road 40 also in Ormond Beach also remained opened.

Last month, the FHP was forced to close the roadway from Shadow Crossings to State Road 11 because of smoke from brush fires.

Drivers can call 511 to get current information about road closures, or monitor the current driving conditions at  http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/traffic/.

Troopers remind drivers of the following safety tips when traveling through an area that has visibility issues:

DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected back off the fog and actually impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.

SLOW DOWN - and watch your speedometer - before you enter a patch of fog. Be sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see. Fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding. Speed is a major factor in fog-related crashes.

WATCH OUT for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open your window a little, to hear better.

REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and cell phone. Your full attention is required.

USE WIPERS AND DEFROSTERS liberally for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield.

USE THE RIGHT EDGE of the road or painted road markings as a guide.

BE PATIENT Avoid passing and/or changing lanes.

SIGNAL TURNS well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.

DO NOT STOP on a freeway or heavily traveled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision. If you must pull off the road, signal (people tend to follow tail lights when driving in fog), then carefully pull off as far as possible. After pulling off the road, turn on your hazard flashers(hazard lights should only be used when you pull over to show that you are parked on the side of the road). Move away from the vehicle.

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