How Many Lights Should Be Turned On When Driving in Heavy Fog?
2 Answers
When driving in heavy fog, 3 types of lights should be turned on. Specific lights to activate: In foggy conditions, drivers should turn on fog lights, hazard warning flashers, and low beam headlights. Additionally, during fog, rain, or snow, it's also necessary to activate low beam headlights along with clearance lights and rear position lights. Light activation levels: When the fog is extremely dense with very low visibility, hazard warning flashers must be activated. This helps alert oncoming vehicles ahead. However, drivers should exercise caution when using these lights during turns or lane changes, as the turn signals become ineffective when hazard lights are on, which could potentially lead to accidents. For moderate fog conditions with relatively better visibility, front fog lights and low beam headlights should be used. Sometimes, when driving at higher speeds, rear fog lights should also be activated. In light fog conditions with higher visibility, simply turning on clearance lights and rear position lights together is sufficient.
When driving in heavy fog, I usually only turn on two lights: the low beam and the fog lights. The reason is simple—the low beam allows you to see the road ahead without excessive glare, while fog lights are positioned lower and specifically designed to minimize scattering in fog, providing better visibility. Avoid using high beams, as they reflect intensely in the fog, creating a blinding white barrier that reduces visibility and increases the risk of accidents. I’ve noticed some drivers mistakenly turn on their hazard lights, but those should only be used during emergency stops or slow-moving situations. Using them during normal driving can mislead other vehicles and impair judgment. Safety first—I also recommend slowing down to a safe speed and maintaining at least twice the normal following distance to avoid rear-end collisions. Driving in fog tests your caution and prioritizes correct light selection over the number of lights turned on.
