How to Follow Vehicles When Driving in Foggy Weather?
2 Answers
When following vehicles in foggy weather, pay close attention to the movement of the vehicle ahead, strictly control your speed, and appropriately increase the longitudinal safety distance from the vehicle in front. This is to prevent mistaking the tail lights of a stationary vehicle ahead for those of a moving vehicle due to being too close, which could lead to a collision from following too closely. Precautions for driving in foggy weather are as follows: 1. Maintain a relatively low speed: When driving in fog, strictly adhere to the speed limits set by traffic rules and avoid speeding. The thicker the fog, the shorter the visibility distance, and the lower your speed should be. 2. Choose the outer lane on two-lane roads and the middle lane on three-lane roads: Visibility is already poor in foggy conditions, so when driving, if it's a one-way three-lane road, prefer the middle of the road rather than the sides. 3. Avoid overtaking blindly: If you notice a vehicle stopped on the right ahead, do not overtake blindly, as it might be waiting for oncoming traffic to pass. When passing a parked vehicle on the roadside, ensure it has no intention to start moving and there is no oncoming traffic, then sound the horn at an appropriate time and pass at low speed from the left side.
I drive extra carefully in foggy conditions, always slowing down to below 40 kilometers per hour, sometimes even lower, adjusting according to visibility. I increase the following distance—normally a 2-second gap becomes 5-6 seconds, giving me buffer time if the car ahead brakes suddenly. I turn on the front and rear fog lights or low-beam headlights, avoiding high beams at all costs as they brighten the fog and create blinding glare. Keeping the windows and windshield clean is crucial—using the air conditioner to defog or the wipers to clear condensation ensures clear visibility. I also frequently adjust the rearview mirror to monitor vehicles behind me, preventing rear-end collisions. Inside the car, I lower the radio volume and mute my phone to stay focused on the road. If visibility drops below 10 meters in heavy fog, I find a safe spot to pull over, prioritizing the safety of myself and passengers. Remember, accident rates spike in fog—no aggressive lane changes or sharp turns, steady and cautious driving is key.
