Foggy Roads: How to Handle Danger Zones

When driving, safety should always be a priority. However, driving can sometimes be challenging especially when it’s natural that you have to contend with.

Fog is one of the most dangerous weather conditions faced by drivers. It can decrease the visibility of drivers to almost nothing but a white blur. It also causes pile-ups and accidents since drivers weren’t able to see the road ahead.

Philkotse.com values your safety which is why we prepared helpful tips on how to drive safely in these foggy roads.

1. Be aware of weather conditions in your area    

More often, fog is an evening or morning phenomena. If ever possible, avoid driving when it's foggy during these times. You should also know the local areas where fog usually accumulates such as low lying areas near rivers and lakes and seaside areas.

If ever possible, avoid driving when it's foggy during these times

2. Don’t drift

Most drivers tend to wander in the middle of the roadway once the visibility gets worse. Make sure you stay in your lane to be safe.

3. Be cautious all the time

Remember that fog contains moisture which may continuously collect in your car’s windshield. This will make it more difficult for drivers to see the road ahead. So before heading on a foggy road, make sure to adjust the speed of your windshield wiper and defroster if necessary.

Not less importantly, driving in foggy roads requires focus. It’s not the time for multi-tasking. So, it’s better to switch off the radio and keep any distractions away. Pay your 100% attention to the road. Rolling down your window will help you hear any oncoming traffic or anything in the road. 

The moisture from the fog that accumulated in the windshield will make it more difficult for drivers to see the road ahead

>>> Read to know tips on how to install windshield wiper blades for your car.

4. Slow down

When driving in foggy roads, your normal speed is already dangerous. To be safe, make sure to slow down. Doing so will give you more time to react if there are road hazards or traffic that may appear.

5. Use driving lights or fog lights (if your car is equipped)

Many car models are equipped with driving or fog lights which were factory installed. These types of light are commonly mounted low. It is either below or in the front bumper. It focuses the lights towards the ground in front of the car as far as possible.

Driving and fog lights differ mainly on the way their light is projected. Fog lights commonly have yellow or clear lenses. On the other hand, the driving lights often have clear lenses.

Fog lights create a beam of light that is a usually flat and wide pattern. It is flat so that the light will stay close to the surface of the road, thus minimizing the reflection caused by fog. And wide, so that it can also illuminate the sides of the road, allowing drivers to see curbs, guard rails, lines on the road, etc.

Many car models are equipped with driving or fog lights which were factory installed

Driving lights are commonly bright spotlights specifically designed to illuminate the darkness of the road better and further compared to regular headlights. Both the fog light and driving light works best when driving in foggy areas.

Don’t shut off your car's parking or running lights because it helps in making your car more visible to other drivers behind and alongside your car.

>>> Read this if you wonder how to get ready for the coming rainy weather.

6. Use low beams

When driving in foggy roads, there will be a great decrease in visibility ahead. If your car doesn’t have driving or fog lights, better use your car’s low beam light. When there are heavy fogs, the use of high beams is prohibited because high beam lights will be reflected back by heavy and thick fogs.

When the fog thins, them the high beams will be more effective. Before using high beams, make sure you check the fog periodically if the fog already thins.

If your car doesn’t have driving or fog lights, better use your car’s low beam light

7. Give more distance from other cars

When driving in foggy roads, instead of two seconds count distance, increase it by five seconds. Avoid speeding or rushing to get out of the fog. Moreover, you can keep your distance with other cars by signal them with tail lights. make sure that you remember to turn on the lights when traveling on foggy roads.

8. Beware of freezing fog

In colder climates, fog can freeze especially if the climate is near freezing point. When the frozen fog comes in contact with cold surfaces like roads, it can result in black ice.

9. Pull over to the side

If it is thick fog, or the road becomes difficult to drive because of no visibility, it is safer to pull over to the side of the road and wait. Turn your hazard lights on to alert drivers of your location. Also, make sure that the place where you stop is safe. Stay away from travel lanes. Before you continue to drive, wait for the conditions to improve.

10. Use the right side of the road as a guide

Use the right edge of the roadway rather than the centerline. It will help you avoid being blinded by the headlights of oncoming cars. It will also avoid you from running into any oncoming cars or traffic.

Use the right edge of the roadway rather than the centerline.

11. Additional safety tips

• Do not try to pass other cars in foggy conditions. Remain patient and calm.
• Signal as early as possible. If you’re going to stop, signal it a few seconds before using your breaks.
• Don’t stop in the middle of the road.
• Beware of other cars that are not using headlights.
• If you have friends that accompany you, ask them for help in keeping an eye for any obstacles in the roadway.

Listen to the local weather forecast and if possible, delay your trip until the weather is clear

Fog is one of the most dangerous weather conditions that new or even experienced drivers have to deal with. It can potentially reduce the visibility of the road. This type of weather condition demands your full attention.

Which is why, whenever driving, you should keep away from any distractions, most especially when driving on foggy areas.

>>> Find out 7 things to keep in mind to drive safely in fog.

Turn your phones off, tell your passengers to be quiet, and turn off the stereo. Doing so will help you focus on the foggy road and will enable you to hear any unseen traffic.

However, if the fog is very thick, and the roads are not visible even when using fog lights, the best thing to do is to stay off the road. Listen to the local weather forecast and if possible, delay your trip until the weather is clear.