Driving in foggy weather creates dangerous conditions due to reduced visibility. Fog can make it difficult for you to drive even though you are an experienced driver. Dense fog is known for causing accidents every year because drivers are not prepared for inclement weather. The best way to increase visibility in foggy conditions is to use bright fog lights that cut through the dense moisture. Always drive safely and avoid overspeeding. Also, use good quality tyres because you may lose grip on wet tarmac. Use a good quality car protection cover when your vehicle is parked to prevent moisture from seeping into the body panels.
Here are some essential tips and suggestions for a safe drive in foggy weather. You should reach your destinations without any mishaps if you take the following precautions.
Keep your distance
If you maintain an adequate distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you, that leaves more space for sudden braking. Foggy conditions severely reduce visibility and if you are too close to the car ahead, you won’t have time to brake. Drive at a slow speed and watch out for other motorists. Use your fog lights to illuminate the car ahead. You need to notice a brake light through the fog so that you can stop in time. If you notice a car behind you, don’t try to accelerate. Maintain a slow speed so that everyone has time to react to any situation.
Make use of windshield wipers
Fog can cause a build-up of moisture on your windscreen making it difficult to drive. If it is very cold, you may even have ice forming on the glass surface. Use your windshield defroster and windshield wipers to clear your windscreen. It reduces the glare that can be amplified by foggy weather and bright lights from oncoming vehicles. Ensure that your side view mirrors are not fogged up so that you have a clear view of vehicles behind you. You may consider pulling over to the side of the road and giving your windshield a good wipe. The windshield wipers may not always get rid of every drop of moisture. Glance at your mirrors before braking and avoid sudden stopping.
Turn on the traction control
Electronic stability programs like traction control, ABS and EBD, torque vectoring and automatic braking can avoid an accident during foggy weather. You can expect roads to be wet, so the traction control will prevent your vehicle from skidding or losing control as you drive. ABS allows you to control the car and avoid an obstacle under braking. Other electronic programs like lane departure warnings, alert you when your car skips a lane. It may be difficult to follow lanes and brake at the right time with low visibility. Skip using the cruise control as you want to maintain control of the throttle and speed at all times. Foggy weather can have surprises waiting for you, and you may not have time to avoid them.
Use your headlights and fog beams
You need a bright set of headlights together with fog beams to have good visibility of the road ahead. Headlights provide a wide viewing angle while fog lights cut through the fog and illuminate vehicles in front. Do not use hazard lights as they may confuse motorists who are expecting you to use turn signals before changing lanes. Low beams are the preferred choice for headlights because they will give you a better view ahead. High beams will not be powerful enough to pierce the misty air, that’s what the fog lamps are used for. If your standard headlights are proving ineffective, invest in aftermarket replacement bulbs that provide brighter illumination.
Drive slowly
You do not want to drive at high speeds in foggy conditions, because visibility is poor and an obstacle may suddenly come in your way. You will not have time to slow down and avoid it. At the same time do not drive so slowly that you impede traffic behind you. Drive at an average space and stay alert so that you can react quickly enough to a road hazard. Stick to your lane as much as possible and use your turn indicators if you have to switch lanes. Avoid the tendency to speed up if you see a clear road ahead as there may be other obstacles like pedestrians, speed bumps and intersections coming up.
Conclusion
Foggy weather is one of the most dangerous driving conditions after rain and snowy conditions. Driving in the fog can be a nightmare for those who are not prepared for such a situation. Road traffic authorities witness multiple accidents every year during winter because of fog and low visibility on the road.
Always keep your eyes on the road and stay focused. Use a defence driving technique and be prepared for the unexpected. Accidents can happen in seconds, so every driver should drive responsibly and look out for other motorists when driving conditions are unsafe.
