Driver's education: How to navigate roads filled with smoke from wildfires
A brush fire that started on May 1 in the Big Cypress National Preserve was covering more than 8,000 acres of land by Monday. The preserve is 32 miles east of Naples.
Florida Highway Patrol Troopers are monitoring the fire and smoke conditions in the preserve region, located off US 41, between mile markers 58-66 .All lanes remain open at this time.
Florida wildfires and safe driving: Tips for negotiating smoke
Smoke from wildfires, along with fog and heavy rain, can all lower visibility on the roads. Here are eight tips from the FHP on how to negotiate roads during these conditions:
DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected off the smoke or fog and 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 an area of smoke or a patch of fog.
WATCH OUT for slow-moving and parked vehicles. Open you window a little and listen for traffic you cannot see.
REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and cell phone. Your full attention is required.
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, then carefully pull off as far as possible and turn your hazard lights on.
Photo gallery: Images from 2021 wildfire in Golden Gate Estates
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida wildfires: Driving tips for when smoke impacts visibility
