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Driving safely in foggy weather

On Behalf of | May 19, 2020 | Injuries |

When a warm air mass moves over a cold surface, fog happens — which is why it’s so often a problem in the early morning as the sun heats up the air particles faster than the ground and dew has a chance to warm up. As far as weather conditions go, fog is pretty harmless — unless you have to drive in it.

If you find yourself on the road in a dense patch of fog, here’s how to handle it safely:Consider pulling over. If your schedule permits it, you can wait until the ground and air temperatures level out a bit more and then be safely on your way.

  • Put on your low beams. If you can’t pull over, put on your low beams and fog lights. Never try to navigate fog with your high beams on because they’ll worsen visibility.
  • Turn off cruise control and focus. You want to eliminate both complacency and distractions when you’re driving in fog. Put both hands on the wheel, turn off your phone and stay alert.
  • Make good use of your defrosters and wipers. Fog is wet, so make sure that you get your defroster going and let your wipers do their job, so you can see the road.
  • Use the right edge of the road and the roadside reflectors as a guide. If you keep your passenger-side tires close to the yellow line on the right, you can avoid drifting into another lane. The reflectors in the middle line will also help you guide your vehicle.
  • Slow down and give other drivers some space. Drivers may make sudden stops or turns. To avoid a pile-up, give other vehicles plenty of room.

Unfortunately, even the utmost of caution won’t always prevent an accident. Other drivers may not be nearly as sensible as you. If a negligent driver hits you and you’re injured, make sure that you understand your right to compensation for your losses.