Care should be taken when driving in foggy weather. The potential for accidents is greater because no one can see with any clarity and some drivers may not change their driving habits for the inclement conditions.
Fog can be quite thick, thus you might elect to wait until the mist lifts before going on with your drive. However, if you must travel there are some hints and suggestions that can be offered to ensure a safe journey.
Before setting off it is vital that you check that your windscreen is clear and that all of your lights including your fog lights are working correctly. When the visibility falls to below 100 meters then you should switch on your fog lights to improve visibility and allow other road users to see you more clearly. It is best not to use your main beam headlights in foggy conditions because the bright light that they produce will reflect of the moisture in the fog and reduce your vision further.
As a result of low visibility a common problem in foggy weather is that other drivers are too close to the vehicle in front of them. They tend to feel more comfortable with rear lights in their sights. Some drivers also feel that driving more quickly will help get them on the other side of the fog faster. Both thoughts can lead to accidents on the road. In foggy weather it is best to drive at a safe speed in which you can stop without issue. You also need to use your speedometer to assess your speed since visual information is restricted.
Fog occurs because the air has become cooled down below its dew point, and so the level and thickness of the fog will vary greatly depending on the prevailing environmental and geographic conditions.
Typical times and places to expect fog are normally on cold winter mornings in low lying ground, valleys or significant dips. Because the fog can change thickness and in turn reduce visibility very quickly, you will constantly need to reassess the conditions and tailor your driving accordingly.
Once you have achieved more than 100 metres of visibility you must turn off your fog lights. The law states that this is a requirement and it is also unpleasant for oncoming cars. Dont forget to turn off the fog lights on the back of your car as they can disguise your brake lights which can be a hazard.
There is no doubt that driving in foggy conditions can be very demanding, however it is possible to stay safe providing you drive in a manner appropriate to the conditions and give other roads users plenty of space.
When driving in heavy mist good visibility is crucial, and you can maximise this by installing Xenon Car Bulbs. By enhancing the beam produced by your headlights, for example by installing high performance H7 Bulbs, you will be able to see further into the fog and other drivers will also see you more clearly.
