When you can hardly see the road
Driving through fog can be quite a challenge as it will affect visibility and make it harder to gauge the distance between your vehicle and others. Sometimes you can barely see the road!
To ensure road safety, it’s important to know how to handle such circumstances.
Jarrod Berman, Managing Director of MotorHappy, says if you know you’ll be driving through foggy conditions, the best solution is to wait until the fog clears.
“However, if this is not possible, prepare beforehand. Allow enough travelling time, so you can decrease speed when necessary.
“Breaking down in fog is dangerous, so check that you have enough petrol before starting your trip. Ensure your windows are clean and clear and wipe down your headlights,” he advises.
Below are MotorHappy’s top tips for driving safely in foggy conditions:
1. Slow down and turn off cruise control.
2. Be careful not to drive too slowly because other cars might crash into you. If visibility is bad, find a safe place to pull over.
3. Maintain a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, to allow enough time to stop. Allow for at least a three second following distance.
4. Use fog lights, and not your brights. Brights reflect light back and make it harder to see. Most of the time, fog doesn’t settle on the road surface, but rather hovers just above it. Front fog lights point downward, aiming for this area just above the road, and they’re designed in such a way that the lights won’t reflect off the fog.
5. Avoid distractions like music or phone calls.
6. Be patient and avoid overtaking other cars. If you do have to overtake, indicate well beforehand.
7. If you need to stop, find a safe spot off the road. Turn off your lights, put on your hazard lights, and wait until it’s safe to continue.
8. Keep the windshield clear and use the defroster to demist windows.
9. If you arrive at an intersection in thick fog, open your windows so you can listen for traffic.
10. Remember to switch off your fog lights when visibility improves.
“Familiarise yourself with the fog lights before you leave home. Know how to turn them on and off with ease, so you can keep your eyes on the road when you’re driving through fog,” concludes Berman.