What should you use when driving in heavy fog?
9 minute read Published on Jun 29, 2024 by BrokerLink Communications
Driving in heavy fog feels like something from a horror movie, but it doesn’t have to be. There are steps you can take to make driving in the fog even easier. Fog reduces visibility because humidity causes water droplets to form on your windshield, making it foggy. This can be worrisome for new drivers or those unfamiliar with driving in bad weather.
When you’re prepared, driving in fog will be like any other day. It isn’t always that easy, though. That’s why BrokerLink has created a guide to driving in foggy conditions. Here is everything you need to know about driving in heavy fog.
How fog forms
First, let’s establish how fog forms. It’s often responsible for accidents on the road, so it’s important to understand where it comes from. Infrared cooling is one of the main reasons fog appears. What does this mean? Well, when the seasons change, so do temperatures. In other words, when warm air combines with cold air, fog appears. When moisture enters the air, small droplets of water cool and create what looks like a cloud on the ground.
Advection is also responsible for fog. It comes from the wind pushing warm air across a cool surface, which later condenses into fog. Other common types of fog include hail fog and freezing fog, which are common in the winter when water particles freeze.
Preparing to drive in fog
If you don’t have the option to stay put and have to drive in the fog, you should make sure of a few things. Driving in the fog can be dangerous if you aren’t prepared. Here are some precautions you can take if you are planning to drive in the fog:
Test your lights
Before driving in the fog, you’ll want to make sure your fog lights and low beams are working. That’s because when driving in the fog, your visibility is significantly reduced. Using your high beam headlights is not effective in the fog. However, fog lights and low beams will allow you to see in front of you when you are making your way through the fog.
Ensure your windshield wipers are working
Fog is made of evaporated water particles, which often make their home on your windshield, whether it’s raining or not. That’s why your windshield wipers should be in working condition. You will need to use them in conjunction with your defroster, especially if you run into freezing fog, which can cause ice to form on your windows.
Avoid getting on the road if possible
Your best bet is to avoid driving in the fog if you don’t have to. When the fog is thick, you should stay off the road and take shelter in place. It will reduce the risk of accidents and save you the stress of navigating the road in bad weather conditions. If you’re already out on the road, look for somewhere to stay until conditions improve.
You should ensure these parts of your vehicle are in working condition at all times. If they aren’t, you should wait before driving, especially in adverse weather conditions. Waiting for the fog to clear is advisable when possible.
Tips for driving in fog
When driving in fog, you have to deal with several factors, including reduced visibility. However, you won’t have to worry about anything if you are careful. Taking your time will prevent accidents and help you get to your destination safe and sound. These are some tips to follow when driving in dense fog:
Use your windshield wipers and keep your defroster on
Thick fog produces moisture that can build up on your windshield and windows. You already have poor visibility, so the best way to see the road ahead is to utilize the resources you have available. Put your windshield wipers on whether it’s raining or not. Even the lowest setting will help you drive safely in fog. Fog is a result of high humidity, which is why you’ll need your defroster. The interior defrost button will clear up your windows and windshield so you can keep on driving.
Drive slower
This one is a given. Like with any type of inclement weather, you need to adjust to the road conditions. Fog reduces visibility, meaning you should keep your eyes on the road at all times. Avoid using cruise control and braking suddenly. Always signal early to let other vehicles know what you’re doing before you do it. Additionally, it might feel like you’re driving slower than you actually are, which is why checking your speedometer is essential. Always consider reporting a road hazard if you see one.
Avoid tailgating
When driving in fog, you should maintain a fair distance from the vehicle ahead. You never know what other drivers will do, and you should be prepared to suddenly brake for other vehicles. Practice safe driving by maintaining a distance of 9-12 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you. In foggy conditions, it’s much harder to see other vehicles or objects in front of you, so you should give the vehicle ahead of you plenty of space.
Stop driving when you can’t see
As fog gets thicker, it gets harder to see. When it becomes too difficult to drive safely, you should find a safe spot like a parking lot or driveway to pull over. Get as far away from oncoming traffic as you can and turn your hazard lights on and your headlights off to show other drivers that you are no longer moving. It’s always best to find shelter in inclement weather conditions. If you must stay in your car, buckle your seatbelt.
Always use fog lights or low beam headlights, and keep high beam lights off
Always activate your rear fog lights to show other vehicles where you are when driving in fog. As mentioned earlier, if the weather is bad enough, pull over somewhere safe with your hazard lights on. Fog lights, also known as driving lights, should also be on because they use a colour and position that prevents glare caused by a headlight. In the event that you have to keep driving, only turn on your low beam headlights because high beam headlights end up getting diffused and reflected by the fog’s water droplets, making it more difficult to see. They may improve night vision while driving, but are more of a hindrance in the fog.
Keep your eyes on the road
You should always pay attention to your surroundings when driving, but this is even more important when driving in dense fog. When visibility is extremely poor, it’s easy to drift out of your lane and over the centre line. Avoid changing lanes and passing other vehicles, and know where oncoming traffic is coming from. Additionally, you should be prepared to press the brake pedal at any time because vehicles, people, bikes, and animals can come up quickly when you can’t see far ahead of you. Additionally, the windshield can fog up quickly and you clear it up using your windshield wipers and defroster, adjusting them as conditions change.
Follow the right edge of the road
Driving along the centre line of the road in foggy conditions is dangerous. Not only does it increase the glare from the lights of other vehicles passing by, but it’s also a little too close for comfort. Instead, you should use the right edge of the road to understand where you’re driving. Remember to do this while keeping a fair distance from the vehicle ahead of you to be able to see better and avoid car accidents.
Be aware of freezing fog
Freezing fog is something you should prepare for and is another reason to ensure your car is winter ready. Following regular winter car maintenance and having one of the best cars for Canadian winters will help you out. When fog appears during cold temperatures like the ones we get during cold Canadian winters, it can cause black ice to form on the road ahead. This is something to be aware of because you will need to leave more space between you and other vehicles. It will give other drivers a chance to react if your car starts skidding in the fog. You also shouldn’t forget to slow down to reduce the chances of an accident.
By following these tips, you can stay safe while driving in the fog. From using your fog lights to taking your time, using these methods will allow you to protect yourself and other vehicles on the road.
Things to avoid when driving in fog
Now that we’ve established what you should do when driving in fog, it’s time to discuss what you should avoid. Driving safely is important, especially in fog. Here are some things you should avoid doing if you are driving in the fog:
Suddenly stopping on the road
If you need to pull over, you should do so safely. Find a less-travelled spot away from the roadway to prevent collisions. Suddenly, braking or pulling off the road unexpectedly during extremely dense fog isn’t safe because oncoming drivers won’t know what you’re doing. Your best bet is to find a safe spot to pull off the road and turn on your emergency hazard lights to show other drivers you are stopped. It will also allow them to see you and prevent potential accidents.
Speeding up unexpectedly
When driving in foggy weather conditions, you should avoid speeding up out of nowhere and just in general. Part of driving safely in bad weather is keeping a consistent speed because many vehicles will not maintain a safe following distance, and people may panic if they can’t see another vehicle or object in front of them. In low visibility, you need to avoid passing because you won’t be able to see oncoming traffic as easily. After all, you should always practice defensive driving techniques.
Avoid passing other vehicles
Passing another vehicle in foggy conditions is dangerous. Fog will reduce visibility, and part of safe driving is keeping a low speed when you can’t see and passing forces you to speed up. The only time you should pass other vehicles in the fog is if they’ve pulled off to the side of the road with their emergency flashers on. Even when you’re doing this, you should do so with caution because you don’t want to miss the opportunity to spot hazards ahead.
Drive sober
Impaired driving is not only against the law, but isn’t safe. If you know there is going to be fog; you should avoid driving impaired because you will need all your senses to drive safely. If you see an oncoming vehicle driving in your lane, you will need enough reaction time to move out of the way. This is because regular headlights are not as useful in these conditions, and you need to know to turn on your fog lights when necessary.
Avoiding these bad habits will keep you safer on the road. You should remain vigilant on the road to stay safe—this is especially true in the fog, where visibility is low. You should also have liability insurance to pay for damages or injuries in the event of an accident.
Contact BrokerLink today!
Poor visibility is the main reason driving safely in the fog is so difficult. Even if you get used to your low beams and fog lights, you aren’t invincible to getting into an accident. That’s where having car insurance can help you out.
Driving in bad weather, such as fog, increases your chances of getting into an accident. That’s why you’ll need proper car insurance to pay for damages and medical expenses. At BrokerLink, we offer the following types of car insurance policies to keep you safe on the road in all conditions:
- Third party liability coverage
- Accident benefits coverage
- Direct compensation - property damage coverage
- Uninsured automobile coverage
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Accident forgiveness coverage
At BrokerLink, our goal is to help you stay safe on public roadways. Contact us to learn more about our car insurance policies today. So drive slow, keep a safe following, use your low beam headlights and drive safely. If you're in a fog-related car accident, contact BrokerLink today!