Driving in the fog can certainly be unnerving, especially if you’re not used to it or if you weren’t expecting those conditions. It reduces visibility dramatically, sometimes to the point that you can only see a few feet in front of the car.
When this happens, it’s important that you know how to react properly. The following driving tips can help you do so:
1. Keep the high beams off
Especially at night, drivers sometimes believe it’s best for visibility if they have their high beams on. But this just reduces visibility even more when you’re in the fog, due to the glare that they cause.
2. Slow down marginally
It is a good idea to reduce your speed. Slowing down can increase your reaction times so that you can avoid hitting a vehicle ahead of you. It’s best if everyone who is in the fog is driving slowly and carefully, being attentive to the conditions around them.
But you do not want to stop completely or slow down by a considerable amount. This just makes you a hazard for drivers behind you and puts you at risk of being rear-ended.
3. Pull off of the road
As a result of the above, if you do want to stop because the fog is just too thick to drive, you need to pull off the road. It is best to pull into a parking lot, but you can also find safe places far off of the shoulder.
Even if you drive safely in the fog, though, you could still be injured in an accident caused by someone else. Make sure you know how to seek financial compensation for your medical bills and other costs.