Driving through Fog - Guide for a Safe Return

  • Published
  • By Rod Krause
  • 5th Bomb Wing Safety
Ever thought how would it be to drive blindfolded? Driving through fog can be a similar experience. While it may not seem a big deal, fog can be a real threat to motorists unlucky enough to encounter it. In severe situations, fog can be perceived as a white wall of an uneven consistency, limiting the driver's visibility to as little as 20 feet. Combined with the darkness of the night and a dark stretch of road, fog can make for one eerie driving experience. As for any driving situation one may encounter, there are a few tips for driving through fog. If applied, they can make the experience less scary and safer.

There is no real preparation one can undertake to be ready when the fog comes. It has an annoying tendency of coming out of the clear blue sky. What can be done is to check before going on a trip to see if one's car is road worthy. Most importantly, check that all the car's lights are working properly. While driving, listen to weather conditions on the local stations.

The human being has five senses. So don't rely entirely on sight while traveling through fog. Turn off the music, maybe even crack open the window a bit and listen to what cannot be seen. It's an effective way of assessing where another car is and where it is heading.

If one must drive in fog, follow these safety tips:
· Slow down and do not drive faster than vision allows
· Be cautious, fog can become thicker without warning and without being noticed until it is too late to react
· Increase the following distance to ensure enough reaction time and stopping distance
· Turn on all lights to include hazard lights. Use low beam headlights and fog lights, Do not use high beams
· Use the vehicle's windshield wipers and defroster as necessary to maximize visibility
· Be ready for emergency stops by other vehicles
· Turn off the cruise control so the driver is in control of the vehicle
· Use the right edge of the road or roadside reflectors as a guide
.· Remember that other drivers have limited sight distance and that fog makes the road wet
· Watch out for slow-moving and parked vehicles

Remember to practice safety, don't learn it by accident.