How To Stay Safe On The Roads In The Fog

The police and the media frequently remind us to ‘drive to the weather conditions.’ They are absolutely right to do so - too many people who are otherwise excellent drivers forget to apply this piece of advice when the time comes. The results range from mild scrapes to pile-ups and multiple-vehicle collisions. These accidents can be seen every winter, when the air cools and becomes less capable of dissolving humidity or water vapour. This causes tiny droplets to form, which we see as fog.



The first thing to do when heavy fog sets in is to ask yourself if any road trips that you’re planning can be postponed. The best advice is to stay off the roads completely when visibility is very low.



On other occasions, with milder fog, there are a number of things you can do to keep safe. Mind you, they do not guarantee complete security; drivers should always consider pulling off the road and having a break while waiting for the air to clear.



But if you do decide that you have to drive, even in somewhat foggy conditions, there are some things that you should be sure to do.

Firstly, slow down. It might seem obvious, but a slower car can stop much more quickly if need be. There is nothing wrong with driving 60 km/h on a highway that usually has a limit of 90, as long as it keeps your car and family safe. If you see red brake lights ahead, this slower rate of speed allows you to slow down quickly or stop completely to avoid collisions. It’s that simple.



Secondly, turn on your fog lights. Often, these are seen by other drivers as yellowish lights on the front of your car, and the reason they are there is simple: yellow light penetrates the fog much better than bright white light so that other drivers can see you in fog. This avoids nasty crashes, which can cost you hundreds for a new bumper, hood, or quarter panel. Your windshield is usually covered by your insurance policy, but still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You need others to see you coming.



Watch your distances. The car in front of you should normally be a full 2 seconds ahead of you. You can measure this roughly by watching that vehicle pass by a marking, such as the dashed lines separating the lanes, and then counting in your head to measure the time elapsed before you move over the same spot. However, this is for normal weather. In fog, you should double your safety margin, and be 4 full seconds behind a car in front of you.



Daniel Collins writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.