10 Best Safety Tips For Car Driving in Fog / Smog

Poor visibility caused by dense fog often leads to fatal accidents. Other than cars piling up on the Motorways, it is not unheard of for motorcycle riders colliding with tractor-trolleys on rural roads. Fog related accidents, in short, do not discriminate between the rich and poor. Therefore, knowing safety tips for car driving in fog / smog can make a big difference.

In an ideal world, we wouldn’t have to drive at all during fog as it is never ideal to drive in heavy or dense fog, no matter how experienced of a driver you are, etc. However, staying at home and not moving from one place to another is not always an option. So, if you must drive during fog, be mindful of the following safety tips and you should be in a better position than others to get to your destination safely.

Leave Well In Advance

If it usually takes you 15 minutes to get to a particular location on a normal day, during fog, leave 1 hour or more ahead of time. With time in hand, you will not panic or hurry making an already bad situation worse for yourself and others on the road. 

Use Horn Freely

The often noisy roads of Pakistan strangely go eerily quiet during fog. Fog limits your visibility, not your sense of hearing. So, use horns as much as possible, letting others know of your presence. It is one of the best tips to drive in fog.

Use Hazards, Low Beams and Fog Lights

Want to know how to see through fog while driving? Well! Many drivers tend to switch on high beams for greater visibility; this is a big mistake. The use of high beams during fog creates glare, which further reduces visibility. Use low beams instead, letting people ahead of you know of your presence and taillights for people behind you. Use fog lights, if you have them. And if you are interested in buying fog lights, read this guide first as not every fog light is the same. 

What to Consider Before Buying Fog Lights?

Slow Down and Increase Your Distance From Other Cars

The faster you drive, the less time you have to react to a particular situation. During fog, you have very little time to react. For example, if you need to brake suddenly, etc. Therefore, to increase your reaction time, slow down and drive slowly. This will also help you stop your car well in time in case the cars in front of you suddenly stop, etc. 

Roll Down Your Window

This will help you not see but listen for cars and other emergency vehicles on the road. 

Use Roadside Reflectors As A Guide

To make sure you don’t drive off the road and better navigate the twists and turns of the road, follow roadside reflectors. 

Minimize Distractions

Safely driving during fog will require all of your attention. Therefore, listening to music, chatting with other passengers in the car or talking on the phone while driving isn’t a great idea. 

Make Use Of Defrosters and Windshield Wipers

To reduce glare and limit excess moisture on the windshield, use windshield wipers and defrosters. 

Use The Edge Of A Road As A Guide

To make sure you do not accidentally come in the middle of the road, keep an eye on the right edge of the road. This technique will help you stay in your lane. 

Keep Moving Or Pull Over

The rule of thumb during dense or thick fog driving is to follow the taillights of the car ahead of you while maintaining a safe distance. However, it may not always be possible as traffic is usually thin on the roads. If you feel you’re lost while driving, do not stop in the middle of the road as this is a sure recipe for disaster. Other cars may not be able to see you or if you stop suddenly in panic, they may not be able to break in time. However, if you must stop, make sure it is away from the main road. Waiting in a public place is always a better idea. 

These were some of the time tested safety tips for drivers driving in fog. The key is in avoiding distractions, staying alert, not panicking, staying visible and keep moving. If you have tips of your own, we will be interested in hearing about them. So, please leave a comment below.