During the colder, wintery months of the year, driving can become more challenging.
While many people will be concerned about driving on snow or ice – for tips on how to do so safely, check out our previous blog on the subject – driving in mist and fog can create its own kind of problems.
Significantly reducing visibility, fog has been responsible for some of the worst road accidents in UK history – including a 200-car pile-up in Luton in 1972!
At The Windscreen Company, we understand how hazardous driving in mist and fog can be, so we have put together this handy guide outlining how to do so safely.
Table of Contents:
Statistics in the USA show that 600 people a year die due to accidents caused by fog on the other side of the pond. This makes it clear to see how dangerous it can be if you don’t take the right precautions.
When driving in fog, you should:
Most people instinctively turn to their fog lights when it becomes foggy or misty. However, in actual fact, you should only do this if visibility has been significantly reduced to below 100 metres (this is roughly the length of a football pitch).
This is because fog can reflect the light back at you, making visibility worse. Plus, it may dazzle oncoming drivers and cause them to have an accident.
Unless the fog is severe, as outlined above, you should use your vehicle’s dipped headlights at the front and rear of the car.
This will increase visibility without dazzling other road users and also make you more visible to other drivers.
When driving in fog, you should go slower than you would in normal conditions. This is to create a bigger gap to any cars in front and to ensure you give yourself plenty of braking time should you need it.
Do not just slow down suddenly as there may be vehicles behind you, use your mirrors to help gradually bring your vehicle to a slower pace.
With visibility already reduced, the last thing you want is for your windscreen to also become impaired.
With this in mind, keep your heater set to de-misting and open all vents.
While it might not always be possible, depending on where you are on your journey, if the fog becomes too severe then you should consider stopping.
Find a safe place to stop and give it some time for the fog to clear. This is often preferable to continuing in treacherous conditions.
Driving in mist and fog can increase the chances of an accident and windscreen damage.
If any of your car’s glass has become damaged, The Windscreen Company is here to help. Experienced in handling windscreen repairs and replacements on all types of vehicles of every make and model, we offer a mobile service that aims to get you moving again as soon as possible.
Operating across the West Midlands and the South East, contact our team today for more information.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.
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