Fog usually occurs during the winter and it should be actually treated as a hazard which can happen any time of the year. It can be misty even in the summer or sea fog happens on the coastal road.
Let us check how to deal with fog while driving:
- Speed
It is important to reduce the speed of the car to stop within the range of vision. It will be best to slow down the speed of the car instead of driving faster and breaking the distance rate and colliding with something. Some drivers get tempted to pick up a white line and follow it blindly, which is actually wrong. White lines should be used only as a guide to where the road goes. Never straddle a centre white line as you might end up seeing someone coming from the other way doing the same thing.
The best option is to always be prepared to find somewhere safe to stop and wait for the fog to lift if it is very dense. Never park at a place where other vehicles might run into the back of you or leave the sidelights and hazard warning lights switched on.
- Lights
Irrespective of day or night time, ensure to keep the headlight of the cars dipped beam in fog. It is very important to give the other drivers on the road warned of your approach. Hence dipped headlight rule is vital. It is better to avoid using main beam, as the dipped beam gives a better view. Fog lamps are designed to give better light penetration in the fog. Junctions are especially dangerous in fog. Hence flash the lights and sound the horn when you cross the path of other vehicles which may be hidden in the fog. Also wind down the windows so that you can listen to the warning sounds of other vehicles too. Take special care while turning towards right as the driver approaching from other side will not be expecting a car to emerge from the fog in front of him.
- Traffic
Never be tempted to overtake in the fog. This invites a head on collision with oncoming vehicle. Also never be misled about the visibility when following another vehicle ahead of you. The motion of the vehicle makes a slight hole in the droplets of water vapor which form fog. This will result in you feeling that the fog has eased but you are just in the wake of other vehicle. Though it is safe to stay in line, don’t get tempted to stay in touch with the tail lights of a driver whose speed seems fast for safety. Leave enough space to stop while following another vehicle. Remember that the driver may slow down or stop instantaneously.
The accidents that happen during fog can be reduced although never be eliminated. Ensure to listen to the weather forecasts and traffic news atleast in the car radio so that you are informed about the situation and traffic status. Use the own experience to gauge how the weather is likely to develop during the course of journey. Mist can occur in patches, even when you least expect it. Fog also happen depending on humidity, temperature and air currents even during summer.
Take the precautions when mist appears:
- Drop the speed.
- Switch on the dipped headlight and auxiliary fog lamps.
- Operate the wind screen wipes and washers frequently.
- Set the ventilation in the demist position to ensure the windscreen is clear.
- Switch the heated rear window.
- And open the windows a little to reduce condensation inside the car.