The low visibility that dense fog brings makes driving very hazardous. Low speeds and greater distances between vehicles need to be maintained, while headlights should be dipped at all times. Using them at full beam makes the light reflect off the fog, dazzling both the driver and other road-users.
Weather can be very dangerous at times, especially when you drive a car, truck, bus, airplane or boat for a living. Fog creates dangerous driving conditions and has been the cause of a high number of accidents and fatalities. Fog is a cloud form at the surface of the earth made of tiny water droplets suspended in the air. The greatest problem with fog is visibility. Heavy fog is defined as visibility below one quarter of a mile. A Dense Fog Advisory means that dense fog has reduced visibility to 1/4 mile or less within the advisory area.
If you must drive in fog, follow these safety tips:
• Slow down and do not drive faster than your vision.
• Be cautious, fog can become thicker without warning and without being noticed until it is too late to react.
• Increase following distance to ensure enough reaction time and stopping distance.
• Turn on all your lights-including your hazard lights. Use low beam headlights and fog lights. Do not use high beams.
• Turn on your 4-way flashers to give vehicles approaching from behind a better opportunity to see and notice your vehicle.
• Use windshield wipers and defroster as necessary to maximize visibility.
• Be ready for emergency stops by other vehicles.
• If possible, drive in a “pocket” where no other vehicles are around you.
• Turn off your cruise control so you are in control of your vehicle.
• Use the right edge of the road or roadside reflectors as a guide.
• Listen for traffic you can’t see.
• Do not change lanes or pass other vehicles, unless absolutely necessary.
• Remember that other drivers have limited sight distance and that fog makes the road wet.
• Signal early, and when you use your brakes, don’t stomp on them.
• Watch out for slow-moving and parked vehicles.
• If you cannot see, pull completely off the road preferably at a rest area or truck stop.
• If you pull off the road, turn on your hazard flashers immediately.
Picture Credit : Google
