Fog is a common weather condition, but one that often takes drivers by surprise and leaves them unsure how to continue. It reduces or eliminates visibility and can, in this way, lead to massive car accidents.
Drivers often wonder how to stay safe. Do they slow down, as their instincts tell them, and risk getting rear-ended by a driver who doesn’t slow down? Do they keep driving at their normal speed and risk hitting someone else or not seeing a traffic control device, like a stop sign?
Driving in foggy weather requires extra precautions
Here are some tips that can help:
- You should slow down. Yes, you could get rear-ended, but that’s less dangerous than hitting someone else and it is not your fault. The rear driver always has an obligation to drive safely.
- If you can’t see at all, it may even be wise to stop. Never stop in the travel lanes. Get far off to the side of the road and wait out the fog.
- Do not turn on your high beams. You may feel like it will help you see, but it actually just lights up the fog and makes it harder to see.
- Eliminate all other distractions. Don’t listen to music, read a text or talk to a passenger. Keep your eyes on the road and stay alert.
Fog often comes on unexpectedly, so knowing how to react at the moment is incredibly important.
What to do after an accident
These tips may not help you avoid an accident if another driver is negligent or makes a crucial error. You need to look into your legal rights to seek compensation after that crash.