Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

3 days ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

3 days ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

3 days ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

3 days ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

3 days ago

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

3 days ago

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

4 days ago

State Department Approves $30 Million for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

4 days ago

Cargo Ship That Caught Fire Carrying Electric Vehicles Sinks in the Pacific

4 days ago

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

4 days ago
'Slow Your Pace, It's Not a Race' When Driving In Fog
By Myles Barker
Published 7 years ago on
November 21, 2018

Share

When driving in the fog this winter, Caltrans encourages you to “Slow Your Pace, It’s Not a Race.”

“Not only is fog dangerous to drive in, but it can turn deadly when people drive too fast,” said Sharri Bender Ehlert, the district director for Caltrans.“While getting to your destination on time is understandable as a priority, getting there safely is imperative.”

Imperative indeed, especially since fog leads to the most fatalities compared to any other weather phenomenon in the Central Valley, said Kris Mattarochia at a news conference Wednesday morning.

“The things you do now to prepare can help you later if you get caught driving in bad weather.”— Sharri Bender Ehlert, district director for Caltrans

In 2007, a 108 vehicle pileup killed two and injured 41 others on Highway 99 south of Fresno. Just last year, there was a 40-vehicle pileup on Highway 198 in Kings County that injured 12.

“We take that very seriously,” said Mattarochia, the science and operations officer for the National Weather Service in Hanford.

Fog Severity Index

To show how seriously, the NWS has developed what it calls the Fog Severity Index.

The daily index ranges from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most severe. The data is available on the NWSwebsite.

Caltrans, together with CHP and the National Weather Service Hanford, offered tips on driving in fog Wednesday morning.

The index, Mattarochia said, will pair with NWS’s Dense Fog Advisories. They will alert motorists several hours in advance of the worst Valley fog events.

Motorists will see some of the messages on changeable message signs on their drive home from work during rush hour, Mattarochia said.

He said the signs will warn about dangerous visibility that may be possible on commutes the next day.

“This will help you plan your next day with regards to any travel delays or possible school delays,” Mattarochia said.

Ehlert said that motorists should plan ahead: “The things you do now to prepare can help you later if you get caught driving in bad weather.”

Fog Detection Warning Systems

To help keep the motoring public safe when the weather turns for the worse, Caltrans has developed several advanced warning systems.

Along a portion of Highway 99 in Fresno and Tulare counties is a network of sensors and monitors that measure visibility and detect speeds and traffic volumes, Ehlert said.

These sensors, Ehlert said, are connected to a wireless message sign. She said the signs will automatically warn drivers if it detects low visibility or slow traffic.

“This fog detection warning system continues to help us be more efficient in communicating and responding to roadway conditions in real time,” Ehlert said.

“While getting to your destination on time is understandable as a priority, getting there safely is imperative.” — Sharri Bender Ehlert

Operation Snowflake

Caltrans also has Operation Snowflake — an advanced warning system for the Grapevine on I-5.

Caltrans developed the program in cooperation with the California Highway Patrol.

“There are three phases of Operation Snowflake, the third being the point at which the Grapevine is deemed unsafe to travel and we have to shut it down,” Ehlert said.

Another way the public can learn about roadway conditions is via QuickMap — a Caltrans app available for smartphones.

“It is a very useful navigational tool that features real time traffic updates and incidents, and road closures,” Ehlert said.

Wider Stripes On State Highways

Caltrans is also widening the striping on the state highway system from 4 inches to 6 inches, Ehlert said.

The stripes feature a new type of paint embedded with reflective beads. 

“This undertaking will help motorists a great deal in the fog,” Ehlert said.

The Road Repair Accountability Act of 2017 — commonly known as the “gas tax hike” — is the funding source.

Tips From CHP

The CHP will pace traffic when fog visibility becomes less than 500 feet.

“Our pacing efforts are conducted to ensure the motoring public travels at a safe speed while escorted through dangerous weather conditions,” said Jesse Holguin an assistant chief with CHP.

(GV Wire Graphic/Alexis DeSha)

Watch 2017 Kings County 40 Vehicle Fog Pileup

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

DON'T MISS

University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration

DON'T MISS

How Did the Supreme Court Rule? Here’s a Look at the Big Cases

DON'T MISS

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win Sparks Surge in Anti-Muslim Posts, Advocates Say

DON'T MISS

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

DON'T MISS

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

DON'T MISS

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

DON'T MISS

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

DON'T MISS

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

UP NEXT

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

UP NEXT

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

UP NEXT

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

UP NEXT

Hawaiian Airlines Hit by Cyber Attack

UP NEXT

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

UP NEXT

US Justice Department to Probe Hiring Practices at University of California

UP NEXT

Newsom and Legislature Tangle With Construction Unions Over Minimum Wage

UP NEXT

Tesla Executive, Elon Musk Confidant Leaves EV Maker, Bloomberg News Reports

UP NEXT

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Learn the Latest on the Caleb Quick Murder Hearings

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win Sparks Surge in Anti-Muslim Posts, Advocates Say

2 days ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

2 days ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

2 days ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

3 days ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

3 days ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

3 days ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

3 days ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

3 days ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

3 days ago

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

3 days ago

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

Like a lot of people of center-right/center-left political leanings, I’ve spent the past few decades detesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netan...

2 days ago

2022 Election Rally for Netanyahu
2 days ago

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

University of Virginia President James Ryan Resigns
2 days ago

University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration

2 days ago

How Did the Supreme Court Rule? Here’s a Look at the Big Cases

Zohran Mamdani Speaks to Supporters
2 days ago

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win Sparks Surge in Anti-Muslim Posts, Advocates Say

American Flag Revolver
2 days ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

Rob_Bonta_Speaking_At_Press_Conference_1280x720
2 days ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

Garry_Bredefeld_Sandra_Celedon_Mesure_C_1280x720
3 days ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

Fresno_Unified_Raises_1280x720
3 days ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend