Driving in Fog

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Driving in Fog
Prepared by Firas Abussaud NAPE
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Driving in heavy fog is like driving with a
blindfold on

• Statistically it's the most dangerous driving
  hazard in existence. No matter how important the
  trip is, it's not worth gambling your life. By
  far the safest thing to do if you run into fog is
  to move well off the road and wait for the fog to
  lift. However, the simple and safe solution is
  not always the most practical, so read on to find
  out what driving procedures should be followed in
  fog.

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What is fog?

• Fog and mist are both made of tiny water droplets
  suspended in air. The difference between them is
  the density. Fog is denser so contains more water
  droplets than mist. For pilots, if you cannot see
  further than 1000 meters, then it is called fog.
  For most people including motorists though,
  visibility has to be less than 200 metres before
  it is classed as fog.

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Driving in Fog

• Take particular care when driving in fog,
  especially at night. Fog can be patchy, going
  from a light mist to a thick blanket in an
  instant. Obviously, the faster you drive in these
  conditions, the less time you will have to avoid
  danger.
• As you enter fog, check your mirrors and slow
  down. Use your foot brake lightly so that your
  lights warn following drivers.

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Driving in Fog

• Use dipped headlights and fog lights if
  visibility is reduced so you can be seen. But
  remember it's an offence to use high-intensity
  rear foglights in clear conditions (that is, if
  visibility is greater than 100 metres).
• Make sure your main beams aren't turned on by
  accident. Main beams direct light up into the
  fog, making it difficult for you to see. Dipped
  headlights direct light down onto the road and
  help other drivers to see you.

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Driving in Fog

• Keep an eye on your speedometer because studies
  show that some drivers acclimate themselves to
  foggy conditions and unconsciously increase their
  speed over time. If you can see less than 12
  metres (40 feet) ahead, your speed needs to be
  reduced to less than 20mph.
• Always use your windscreen
• wipers in foggy conditions to
• keep the windows clear.

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Driving in Fog

• Beware of other drivers who are not using their
  headlights.
• If you park your car on a main road, try and get
  your vehicle completely off the road. You could
  be rear-ended!
• Keep your minimum safety gap to three seconds in
  ideal conditions with the decreased visibility
  fog causes, this interval should be increased
  substantially.

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Driving in Fog

• If you leave the road, be sure to pull off
  completely. Turn off your driving lights and turn
  on your flashers so others know you're there but
  won't think you are driving on the road.

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Take Care Drive Safely