BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 Driving in California, while necessary in many metro areas, can be dangerous at times.<\/p>\n
The Central Valley has its own unique problem when it comes to road safety \u2014 the Tule fog<\/a>.<\/p>\n Watch 17 News, After Sunrise and more local news free on your smart TV. Click to learn more about KGET+ <\/a><\/p>\n The fog usually sets in around December or after the first heavy rain of the season.<\/p>\n With heavy fog in areas around the Central Valley and Kern County, it\u2019s important to know how to navigate through it safely. Dense fog along roadways can be and have been factors in fatal crashes over the years, according to the California Highway Patrol.<\/p>\n There are a couple things to keep in mind when driving through any dense fog you may encounter along the roads in Kern County.<\/p>\n CHP says these are some basic tips to follow:<\/p>\n Reduce your speed \u2013 Keep five seconds of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can brake if needed.<\/p>\n Drive with lights on low beam \u2013 During the day, turn on your headlights, don\u2019t rely only on daytime running lights or fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.<\/p>\n Avoid crossing traffic lanes.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t stop on highways except in emergencies<\/p>\n Use windshield wipers and your defroster to improve visibility<\/p>\n Lower your window and listen for traffic you can\u2019t see<\/p>\n Avoid driving on the shoulder of a road<\/p>\n And did you know Caltrans has marked highways to help drivers make it to their destinations even in the foggiest conditions?<\/p>\n What causes the dangerous tule fog that blankets California\u2019s valleys? <\/a><\/p>\n Roads are striped with with solid line on the righthand side of the roadway known as a \u201cfog line.\u201d That fog line can keep you on the road and out of a ditch. Caltrans says stay on the righthand side when it is foggy.<\/p>\n Caltrans has also placed markers along highways to help signal upcoming exits for motorists in foggy areas known as 3-2-1 markers.<\/p>\n The raised reflective pavement markers can help you know when an an exit is coming up.<\/p>\n