Driving in fog

Of all the challenges winter throws at drivers, poor visibility is arguably the most hazardous – if you can’t see the road ahead you’re in problems, and the small difference of a couple of miles an hour can be the difference between life and death.

And if visibility speedily deteriorates, as when fog quickly descends for instance, then even sticking to the speed limit could nonetheless mean driving also quick.

That’s not to say you’re doomed the second a thick fog drops. You can dramatically minimize the danger of accident by merely taking the required precautions and making confident you know what to do when on the road.

The dos and don’ts of driving in fog:

• DO use dipped headlights to increase visibility and use wipers and demisters to help hold the windscreen clear.


• Don’t tail the rear lights of other drivers as this can lead to you getting also close to the auto in front and not leaving adequate stopping distance must you have to brake sharply.


• DO follow a 3-second rule to make positive there is adequate stopping distance amongst you and the auto in front.


• Don’t accelerate to get away from a vehicle that is as well close behind you.


• DO check your mirrors prior to slowing down


• Don’t blindly stick to the speed limit – if visibility reduces make positive you slow down accordingly, dropping under the speed limit if essential


• DO familiarise yourself with your fog light switches (front and rear if applicable), get to know how to turn them on and off and use them when essential. Remember, your ‘full beam’ setting is not for use in fog and shouldn’t be confused with your fog lights.


• Don’t leave your fog lights on when visibility improves, you could dazzle other drivers and obscure your brake lights.


• DO beware of other drivers not making use of headlights


• Do not just rely on your sight when you quit at a junction with limited visibility. Rather you should in the correct position, wind your window down and listen for targeted traffic. When it’s protected to pull away be decisive – hesitating could leave you in the path of approaching vehicles.

What the Highway Code says

When visibility is significantly less than 25 metres, which is 328 feet or about the length of a football pitch, the Highway Code states dipped headlights need to be used.

There is no obligation to use fog lights, but if do not use them and you are involved in a smash in lowered visibility then this could be questioned by your insurer and have an effect on the success of any subsequent claims.

If you see the word ‘FOG’ displayed on a roadside signal but the road ahead is clear, be ready for a sudden bank of fog ahead or drifting patches of fog. And do not be any significantly less cautious if the fog seems to be clearing, it can descend once more as swiftly as it lifted.

How to discover your fog lights

The position of your fog lights and the switches you have to flick to operate them will differ according to your car’s make, model and year of manufacture.

So take a appear in your car’s handbook to find out how they’re located and then familiarise yourself with them so you know how to perform them ought to the require arise.

If you take a look at your dashboard or car’s control panel, front and rear fog lights are typically identified by the following symbols…

Front fog lights (green)

Rear fog lights (orange)

Driving in fog