You might be an experienced driver, but driving in fog is always difficult, even for the most qualified driver. When you’re caught up in dense fog in severe weather conditions, calling it quits on your journey might be the most appealing option. However, if you find yourself unable to maneuver your vehicle in dense fog, there are a number of tips that can help you to drive safely:
1) Reduce Your Speed
Reducing your speed is the first safety precaution you should take if you find yourself driving in foggy weather. When visibility is poor, it’s essential to reduce your speed to avoid colliding with other cars and obstacles or losing control. However, as you decelerate, ensure you check your mirrors to prevent the vehicles behind you from colliding into the rear of your car.
2) Focus And Be Alert
Foggy conditions demand optimal focus and alertness from drivers in Birmingham. Remember, your visibility and the visibility of other road users are highly compromised, so you have to be on the lookout for surprises at all times. Put away any possible distractions such as cell phones and switch off your stereo. This way, you can solely focus on the road without getting distracted. With your stereo off, you can listen to any incoming traffic you can’t see in the fog.
3) Stick To Low-Beam Headlights Or Fog Lights
Activating your high-beam headlights when visibility is compromised seems like a sensible thing to do, but this is not the right move when you’re driving in fog. High-beam lights reflect off the fog and back to you, further impairing your visibility and making the situation even worse. If you are driving in fog, you should activate low beam headlights or fog lights if your vehicle is fitted with them. Fog lights help illuminate the road ahead while making you visible to other road users. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with both rear and front fog lights.
4) Use Your Windscreen Wipers And Defrosters
If you’re caught up in a dense fog, one of the best things you can do to boost your visibility is to clear the windscreen completely with your wipers. Moisture and ice from the fog may create glare, but with your interior defrosters, you can dry off the inner side of your windscreen to make it clear. However, avoid drying off with a rag since this may not only distract you but also cause it to smear, further reducing visibility.
5) Use The Right-Side White Pavement Line As Your Guide
If your visibility is immensely compromised in a fog, it can be hard to see oncoming vehicles or other road users. Consequently, the safest move is to stick to your lane using the right-side pavement line as a guide. The more you stick to this line, the safer you are from invisible oncoming traffic. You should also avoid driving too close to the center pavement markings since it leads you closer to the oncoming traffic.
6) Use Highway Reflectors As Guides
If you’re driving on an unfamiliar road and you’re suddenly caught up in a fog, this could be incredibly dangerous. However, if you pay attention to roadside reflectors, you will know what to expect ahead.
By following these tips, you can keep yourself and your vehicle safe in hazardous fog conditions.