Driving in foggy conditions can potentially be very dangerous, and so it is imperative that you take great caution. According to statistics it is the most dangerous driving hazard in existence. Considering that the braking distance of most vehicles is tens of metres even at slow speeds, it is suggested that drivers concentrate more than usual. In extremely foggy conditions, the level of visibility can be next to nothing. It can sometimes be hard to judge distance and speed of other vehicles in the fog, which may cause you to pull out from junctions when you normally wouldn't, or to take risks that you would usually evade. Take your time when driving in fog, and make no quick decisions. Ensure that you pay interest to the speed that you are travelling at, as it can become easy to start driving faster than you think, which obviously increases the likelihood of an accident occurring. An alarming event is that many drivers will insist on following the lights of a vehicle ahead. This may be because it comforts the driver as they know the road ahead is clear, however this is very dangerous. Depending on the level of visibility, the distance between the two vehicles may be very small. Needless to say, this provides the driver with little notice and little time to react should the car in front have to stop suddenly. Remember to use your windscreen wipers and lights to give you the best achievable visibility, so that the need to follow the car in front is not as great. Use your low beam headlights as the high beams will in fact make it harder to see in front of you. Also, do not forget that it is not only vehicles that will appear in the road, but also pedestrians and cyclists who may not be wearing high visibility clothing. As a consequence, be prepared to respond to any sort of movement in the fog, and even unlit parked cars that may be along the road. Be patient when driving in fog. Unless it can not be avoided, do not overtake and keep changing lanes down to a minimum on motorways and dual carriageways. However tempting it may be, don't speed up to pass a vehicle moving slowly, or to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely. Turn off any distractions in your vehicle, such as your mobile phone or your radio as your concentration is paramount in these conditions. Try and pay attention to any warning lights and make sure you abide by them. In extreme fog, refrain from traveling if you can and only journey if it is essential. If you are already traveling and encounter dense fog, think about pulling off the road completely and position your vehicle safely away from any other traffic until the fog lifts. However important it is that you travel, it is not worth risking your life or another person's life in driving. |
