The Recommended Guide for Driving in Fog

Today, Glasgow is extremely foggy, which often leads to a moody atmosphere. However, it's an ideal time to light candles and enjoy a relaxing movie. Personally, if you don't have any important activities outside of your house, I recommend staying indoors.

Foggy days are perfect for cuddling up in a blanket, lighting some scented candles, and enjoying a warm cup of pumpkin spice tea. If you have to go out, be vigilant and walk away from the roadway. Use less-busy footways that are close to motorways. Drivers do not see far, even though there are fog lights in cars.

For any motorist, one of the worst conditions is driving in fog. The thick mist greatly obscures vision, thereby making it difficult to see possible hazards, estimate distances, or even tell moving from stationary cars apart. This thorough advice will enable you to safely negotiate foggy weather.

 

Understanding the Difficulties of Foggy Conditions

Fog can seriously affect both your visibility on the road and in other cars. Visibility may occasionally reduce to only a few meters, which would make it challenging to estimate speed or tell if the car ahead is still or moving. This lowered visibility height increases the likelihood of crashes; hence, your driving behavior needs to change.

Basic Advice for Safe Driving in Fog: Use dipped headlights, wipers, and demisters.

Driving in fog, always switch to dipped headlights. High beams reflect off the fog, producing glare and even more limited seeing. Keep your windshield clear by running your wipers and demisters.

Turn on foglights as needed.

Front and rear fog lights, designed to cut through mist, enhance your car's visibility to others. Turn them off when circumstances improve to prevent blinding other vehicles; use them if visibility falls below 100 meters.

Change your pace and boost your following distance.

Drive at a slower pace than usual due to the possibility of fog impairing your ability to judge speed. Allow a minimum three-second gap between you and the vehicle in front instead of the usual two. This greater distance gives more time to react to abrupt stops.

Avoid relying solely on automatic lights.

Automatic headlights might not turn on in misty weather, particularly during the day. Make sure your lights are manually turned on to remain visible to other drivers.

Remain vigilant at interchanges.
If you have limited sight at a junction, open your windows to listen for vehicles. This can enable you to identify approaching cars you might not be able to see.

Mistakes people make when driving in Fog

• Avoid tailgating other vehicles.
• Especially if you rely on the automobile ahead to assist you, following too closely can cause you to feel falsely secure. 
• Stay far enough to prevent running across each other.
• Avoid accelerating to flee tailgaters.
• It can be tempting to accelerate if a car is behind too closely. Rather, keep a constant, safe speed and let them pass if at all feasible.
• Never rely just on daytime running lights.
• Only the front of your car is lit by these lights. To avoid rear-end incidents, make sure your back lights are also on.

Getting your vehicle ready for a drive-through fog

Make sure your car is in the best shape for foggy conditions before you start driving.

• Clean your windows and lights; dirt and grime will help to further obscure the view. 
• Check your windscreen, fog lights, and headlights for perfect clarity.
• Examine batteries and fuel levels. A particularly risky situation could be running out of petrol or experiencing a break in fog. 
• Check that your car is fit for the trip.
• Verify that every light is operational. Make sure your fog lights are working properly, as they will allow other cars to see you.

Does every car come with fog lights?

Absolutely, it's a requirement for all cars to have rear fog lights! It's important to note that not all cars come equipped with front fog lights, as they are not mandatory.

The Function of Fog Lights: When and Should One Use Them?

The purpose of fog lights is to enhance visibility in heavy fog. Here is a basic guide:

• Mounted low on the car, front fog lights point downward to illuminate beneath the fog. They light the road without generating glare.
• Rear fog lights have the same power as brake lights, but they are bright red lights. They help drivers behind you spot your car in low-visibility situations.

When is the best time to use them?

Turn on your fog lights should visibility fall less than 100 meters. Remember to turn them off when the conditions are better to prevent misleading other drivers or generating pointless glare.

Legal Advice on UK Fog Lights

Incorrect use of fog lights could cause fines:

The Highway Code advises against using fog lights unless absolutely necessary; they should only be used when vision is much decreased (less than 100 meters). In clear conditions, using fog lights can result in a £50 fine.

You never should substitute your fog lights for your headlights. If a headlamp bulb burns out, replace it immediately as soon as you can!

To sum up, First Priority: Safety

Driving in fog calls both caution. By varying your speed, utilizing the right lights, and keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, always give safety top priority. Fog and damp road conditions can also increase stopping distances, so be prepared to slow down even more.

These rules can help you confidently negotiate foggy circumstances, guaranteeing safer travel for other road users as well as yourself.

Photo by Matheus Bertelli