Driving Safely in Fog Tips

Some tips on what to do if driving in fog.

It can happen at any time of the year and is certainly an issue for anyone living in higher elevations, driving in fog certainly presents a whole host of challenges.

With visibility often reduced to barely a couple of metres, we don’t need to tell you how dangerous driving in foggy conditions can be.

But there are things you can do to try and stay safe in the fog.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has provided Behind the Wheel Car Advice with these tips for driving in fog:

• Give your car windows a good clean inside and out, including the section beneath the windscreen wipers.
• Keep your windscreen washer topped up with screen wash to rinse off any debris while you are driving – dirty windows tend to mist up quickly, making it more difficult to see.
• Remember to switch on your dipped headlights and don’t rely on them switching on automatically. If visibility is less than 100 metres, switch on your fog lights (if you have them), but turn them off once visibility improves.
• Always drive so you can stop on your own side of the road and within the distance you can see to be clear. Patches of fog will not always be of the same density and may get thicker again – be prepared to slow down.
• At junctions stop and listen to get as much extra information as possible about oncoming vehicles, but remember that thick fog can deaden sound and make judging speed even more difficult.
• A combination of fog and darkness can make it extremely difficult to see. Keep an eye out for vulnerable road users including pedestrians and cyclists, particularly on side roads and other areas of poor visibility.

IAM director of standards, Mark Lewis, says the other thing to keep in mind is what to do should your car breakdown or the conditions are simply too hazardous to continue.

“If you experience a breakdown when visibility is poor and you’re on the hard-shoulder or a side road, make sure you and your car are always as obvious as possible to other road users.

“Keep the dipped headlights switched on and wear a high-visibility jacket to help other vehicles spot you while you wait for help.

“If weather conditions are extremely bad simply avoid starting your journey at all.”

Got any other tips on driving in fog? Send us an email via [email protected] or use our Contact page.