Driving in fog can be dangerous as reduced visibility makes spotting driving hazards much harder, if not even impossible. Also, the accompanying moisture can build up on road surfaces creating slippery conditions. It doesn’t matter how experienced you are or what kind of car you’re driving, you need to be extra cautious driving in fog.
Knowing how to deal with foggy conditions is extremely important, so if you are caught driving in fog, follow these safe-driving tips:
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Be sure to slow down so you have more time to react if traffic stops or other hazards appear. When visibility is severely limited, find a safe place to park, away from travel lanes, and wait for conditions to improve.
Turn your lights to low beam so other drivers see you. Don’t use high beams, which reflect light back at you and further reduce visibility. If you have fog lights on your vehicle, use them, in addition to your low beams.
Keep a safe distance from the car in front and avoid tailing its rear lights. If it has to stop sharply then you could crash into its back.
Keep your windows and mirrors clean. Use your wipers and defrosters to keep your windshield and windows clear of moisture to maximize your vision.
Avoid changing lines. Don't change lanes unless you have to. Stay over to the inside, use the painted lines on the right edge of the road as a guide.
Turn off your radio and roll down your windows. This way you can hear the traffic around you and stay better informed about your surroundings.
Consider the drivers behind you and what they are seeing. Remember that other drivers have a limited sight distance. Signal any turns or stops earlier than usual so they know your plans.
By far, the safest thing to do if you run into fog is to get off the road as soon as possible and wait for the fog to lift.
