Tips For Driving in the Fog

We may have noticed that fog can appear on our roads when the warm air makes contact with the cooler surface air. This seems to happen more when driving in the fall or spring seasons, but it really can happen at any time of year. This occurrence is more common around bodies of water and low areas. Now, although you can’t control what the weather dictates, there are a number of safety tips to keep in mind when driving in the fog to help you remain safe in those conditions.  

Let’s first understand what fog really is. The fog really is a thin layer of moisture resting on or near the ground. The thicker the fog is, the more it can reduce visibility for drivers, resulting in difficult or hazardous driving conditions.

Avoid Driving in Fog

The best thing to do is to avoid driving in fog, especially if it’s thick. However, that’s not always possible since fog can roll in while you’re already on the road. However, what we can do each day is to check the local weather forecasts to determine if there is a fog warning for that day. If there is, see if you can delay your trip until it clears up. If that does not seem possible or you get caught driving in foggy conditions, there are a few safe driving tips you should follow.

Make Sure Your Vehicle’s Lighting System is Functioning Properly

Ensure the vehicle’s full lighting system is turned on. Daytime Running lights won’t put on your taillights. When a driver is approaching you from behind, they can better judge how close they’re getting to you when they can judge the back of your vehicle. When deciding on the headlight usage, use your low-beam headlights. High-beam headlights will reflect off the moisture droplets in the fog, which will make it more difficult to see. If your vehicle is equipped with fog lights, use them along with your low beams.

Move Off  The Road

One thing to keep in mind is that fog can move in quickly, so you should act immediately to these conditions. If visibility is quickly decreasing, it would be wise to move well off the road or perhaps into a safe parking area to wait for the fog to lift. If the fog is very thick, you won’t be able to see much ahead of you, including the curves in the road or the vehicles ahead of you. Therefore, it would be wise to wait it out safely.

Slow Down Gradually

When the fog rolls in, slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits the conditions. If the speed is reduced too much, it would be wise to exit higher-speed roadways, such as highways. Just because you’ve slowed down to help you see better, it doesn’t mean the drivers behind you have done the same. If you would normally take the highway, you want to re-plan your route and slower speed roads. You may have to take a completely different route, so check your GPS before making those changes. This will allow you to travel at a slower and safer speed.

Keep a Steady Speed

Keep a steady speed while in the fog. Since the fog is limiting how far ahead you can see, speeding up may put you at risk of catching up to a much slower vehicle. Avoid speeding up to pass a vehicle moving slowly. If they are moving that much slower, just change lanes as normal with the speed you have. You’ll be able to pass them safely. However, passing on a 2-lane highway would not be a wise move since you would not be able to see if there were any oncoming vehicles approaching.

Watch your speed. Fog can hide how fast you are traveling, so check your speedometer to see your speed on a regular basis. If you don’t see much traffic around you, it can be easy to travel slower or faster than you should. If you need to adjust your speed, do so gradually.

Pay Attention to Pavement Markings

Take advantage of the pavement markings to help guide you in the lane. Use the right edge of the road as a guide, rather than the centre line. Keep in mind that where you look is where you go. Keep looking well ahead while making quick glances at the pavement markings. It’s also a good idea to increase your following distance. Although you may be able to stop safely if the driver ahead brakes quickly, the driver behind you may not. A lot of the reasoning is the driver behind you may not be able to see the vehicle ahead of you. Leaving a larger following distance means you won’t need to brake as hard, which will give the driver behind you a better chance to brake in time.

Minimize Distractions in Your Vehicle

Keep your full attention on the driving environment. Reduce the distractions in your vehicle, such as your cell phone, and snacks, and make your water bottle easily accessible without having to look for it. Your full attention is definitely required while driving in the fog. Ensure your windows are clear by using the proper ventilation settings and the defroster. Put them on early so they can keep the inside of the windows clear.

Do Not Stop On The Road

Considering that most drivers rely on what they can see and make assumptions that everyone will do the same thing, avoid stopping on the traveled portion of the road unless you’re stopped in traffic or at a red light. You could become involved in a chain-reaction collision. If you are the last vehicle in line that’s stopped, leave additional space in front of your vehicle and plan where you could go if the driver behind is late in reacting to your brake lights. You may want to quickly put on your hazard lights until you know the driver behind is slowing down. Once they are, be sure to turn off the hazard lights.

The best thing to remember is to remain calm and patient while driving in these conditions. If you follow each of these tips, you’ll still reach your destination safely, even in foggy conditions.