Fog season in the Central Valley officially begins in the fall and lasts through February. When the night is clear in regions like the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys and the ground it wet with little wind, the ground cools quickly, and the moist air above the ground cools and condenses giving us fog.
Locally it’s known as Tule fog and can be thick and heave reducing visibility to as low as 1/8 of a mile or less—even down to 10 feet in certain cases. Tule is a reference to the lowland marshes and reeds in the region which contribute conditions ripe for fog. This is, of course, dangerous and leads to many accidents each year.
Foggy Head-On Collision Causes Multiple Injuries in Corcoran
Though it’s unknown if fog was a factor, two cars collided in the fog in Corcoran Sunday, November 3, 2019. According to the California Highway Patrol, the accident happened on Dairy Avenue near the California State Prison when a pickup truck and a minivan hit head-on causing major damage to both vehicles.
Video of the scene show areas of fog and two heavily damaged vehicles. Police say that several ambulances were called to the scene, and the road was blocked for a short time. It’s unknown just how many people were injured, but officials have said there were multiple injuries.
Avoiding Accidents in Tule Fog
The California DMV offers some tips for driving in the fog:
The best advice for driving in the fog or heavy smoke is DON’T. You should consider postponing your trip until the fog clears. However, if you must drive, then drive slow, turn on your windshield wipers, and use your low-beam headlights. The light from the high-beam headlights will reflect back and cause glare.
Never drive with just your parking or fog lights.
Increase your following distance and be prepared to stop within the space you can see ahead. Avoid crossing or passing lanes of traffic unless absolutely necessary. Listen for traffic you cannot see. Use your wipers and defroster as necessary for best vision.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer if Injured in the Fog.
Weather conditions do not cause accidents, people do. Drivers are responsible for what happens when they’re behind the wheel. Don’t let an insurer blame you for your injuries.
After any accident involving a serious injury in the Central Valley, contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice and the personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
