Driving in fog is an unexpected challenge.
You begin early in the morning, while the weather is still pleasant. You’ve finished all of your preparations and can’t wait to get to the cottage. The work-related stress and tiredness were beginning to take their toll; you wanted a getaway. But before you could make it outside of the city, you were caught in a fog cloud that made driving impossible. We’ve gathered the most essential suggestions for driving in foggy weather into one post for a worry-free journey.
Driving in fog – Tips for your safety
Fog is a regular phenomenon in the autumn and spring, when low temperatures cause high humidity, causing water droplets to evaporate and vapours to impair air transparency. When visibility is reduced, the likelihood of an accident rises.
Make yourself seen. The first step is to turn on the fog lights on the back of the vehicle. Use the low beam if fog lights aren’t available. Do not use the high beam on the road; the intense light will be reflected in the air vapour, reducing visibility.
Turn on the hazard warning lights if you’re driving slowly and want to be more noticeable.
When in a traffic jam, turn off the fog lights. Because they’re so powerful, they’ll annoy other drivers.
Overtaking should be avoided at all costs. Other drivers may be less apparent than you. You will also miss certain impediments such as potholes, stones, trees, and even animals due to a lack of visibility.
Adjust your speed. Avoid any distractions and try to focus your attention on the road. The fog can come in waves with different intensities, and your visibility can be reduced even more from one moment to the next. Be prepared to adjust your speed according to the conditions.
Drive slowly and carefully. When driving in fog, it’s best to follow the right-hand markings and maintain a modest, consistent pace. You need to be able to notice any obstacles and be able to react promptly. Ideally, you should also take into account the principles of defensive driving.
Make good use of technology. If you have a smartphone, check the weather conditions before leaving; map apps can also be handy, as they can show you when a tight curve is approaching; nevertheless, don’t become too distracted by the phone; your focus must remain on track.
Maintain a safe distance. You should not drive too close to the vehicle ahead of you because you have no idea what moves it can perform. It’s wise to give yourself plenty of time to safely brake.
Give up cruise control systems. When driving in fog, it is recommended to adjust the speed manually according to your needs.
Pull to the right if the fog is too thick and you’re having trouble coping. It is preferable to wait for it to disperse a little rather than risk your life. But don’t pull over to the side of the road! A vehicle parked on the road becomes a significant threat to all road users when visibility is limited. To make your car visible, park as close to the edge or off the road as possible.
And last but not least, the seat belt. Even at low speeds, a sudden stop can throw people out of the car. For your safety, wear a seat belt.
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