BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — When conditions are foggy in Kern County, driver safety becomes a heightened, top priority.

When it comes to road safety, giving yourself even an extra few minutes before a drive can make a big difference.

“First and foremost, slow down, do everything you can to give yourself an extra ten minutes to get to work, to get your kids to school, whatever the case may be, you just can’t rush,” said Sgt. Rex Davenport, a Bakersfield Police Department Traffic Sergeant.

Beyond that, proper headlight use is critical, especially with high beams. Ensuring that you do not see a blue or sometimes green lightbulb on your dashboard is important.

Sgt. Davenport says that high beams in dense fog, can make it seem as though there’s a wall in front of you.

Additionally, low beam, or standard headlights are recommended over automatic settings, which could turn on at any light detection, even if there is still fog. Fog lights, also called parking lights, are located at the bottom of your headlights and are not recommended on their own.

“Do not drive with just your parking light or your fog lights on; it may be easier to see with just your parking lights or whatever on, but nobody else can see you,” said Sgt. Davenport.

If in doubt, driving slowly is the way to go.

“If the speed limit show’s 50 don’t drive 50 I would recommend driving probably closer to 10-20 miles an hour slower than the limit,” said Sgt. Davenport.

Additionally, the use of hazards is strictly for cars that are pulled over, and not to be used while driving.

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