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 Drive
Safer In Fog
(and
other low visibility conditions)
Poor visibility conditions such
as fog, mist and haze are a major cause of traffic accidents each
year, sadly, many of them fatal. In fact, some of the worst and
deadliest multi-vehicle pileups have been the result of fog. What
makes fog particularly dangerous is its unpredictability and speed
at which it is encountered. The biggest dangers are from striking
a vehicle ahead of you, or being hit from behind.
RepairNation.com hopes the following
11 tips will help readers drive safer in foggy conditions.
Also see: what
causes fog?
Driving Tips:
1. Don't drive. The best
advice is to avoid driving in foggy conditions altogether. Never
drive in zero or near-zero visibility conditions, even if your vehicle
is equipped with fog lights. Wait for the fog to lift or thin out.
If you absolutely must drive in fog, or the fog is light, bear in
mind the following driving tips:
2. Turn on lights. As soon
as you suspect foggy conditions or detect fog, turn on your headlights.
Using your lights will allow you to be seen by others. Use low beams
(dim), even in the daytime, you'll see better and won't blind other
drivers.
 Always
use low beams for better visibility. Using your bright lights causes
more of the light from your headlights to bounce off the water droplets
that make up the fog and reflect back at you. That's why visibility
is poorer with bright lights.
3. Slow down. As soon as
you detect fog, reduce your speed. The fog may get thicker as you
go. Also, pay attention to your speed. Studies show that most people
unknowingly increase their speed when driving in fog due in part
because of the lack of moving landmarks.
4. Note your surroundings.
When you suspect fog or enter a foggy area, note any vehicles which
may be traveling in front or behind you. Be aware of their distances
and understand that cars in front of you may slow down or stop suddenly.
Keep an eye on your rear view mirror that the vehicle behind you
doesn't come up too suddenly.
5. Don't drive in zero visibility.
Never drive in near zero-visibility conditions. If you enter a zero
visibility situation, slow down but avoid stopping suddenly unless
for an emergency. Avoid pulling onto the immediate shoulder of the
road, unsuspecting drivers behind you may accidentally run into
you. Try to pull into a driveway, or onto an exit ramp if you are
on the freeway. If you can't find a driveway, carefully pull well
off the road and leave plenty of space between you and moving vehicles.
Find a driveway, or park between or next to a tree, phone pole or
nearby building to prevent being hit.
6. Avoid busy intersections.
Some of the worst accidents occur at busy intersections where
vehicles travel at high speed and visibility is low.
7. Use the white reflective line
on the side of the road as a guide
8. Use defrost. Use your
defrosters to prevent your windshield from fogging up. Open your
window a crack to aid in defroster air flow.
9. Don't pass. Take your
time. Never pass another vehicle when visibility is substantially
reduced.
10. Use flashers. If visibility
is becomes extremely low, turn on your flashers. The blinking my
help other drivers see your vehicle.
11. Avoid distractions. Turn
off the radio, avoid smoking, using a cell phone or attending children
while driving.
Tips for safer driving fog:
1. Clean Windows. Periodically
clean the residue from the inside of your windshield. That will
help prevent getting a haze from oncoming headlights.
2. Install fog lights. A
good quality pair of fog lights can dramatically increase visibility
in fog and other low visibility conditions.
3. Inspect vehicle for safety.
It's a very good idea to inspect your vehicle to make sure it is
safe. In foggy conditions it is particularly important that all
of your vehicle's lights are working properly, particularly head
lights, brake lights and tail lights.
4. Carry an emergency road kit
5. Check road conditions before
traveling. Call your highway department's hotline, or telephone
a coworker or friend who may have taken the same route to determine
road conditions ahead of time.
6. Postpone trip. If conditions
become poor, postpone traveling until the fog has lifted. Being
a little late for work or a family event is better than getting
into an accident and arriving in a coffin.
For more driving tips, see 'Related
Topics' on side bar above
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