Should You Turn on Hazard Lights When Driving in Foggy Weather?
2 Answers
You should turn on hazard lights when driving in foggy weather. Precautions for driving in foggy weather include: 1. Use lights appropriately. When driving in fog, the driver should turn on fog lights according to visibility. If the fog is very heavy, in addition to turning on hazard lights, you should also turn on the side marker lights, whose main purpose is to allow drivers of other vehicles to observe better and avoid rear-end and scraping accidents; 2. Control the speed and increase the distance between vehicles; 3. Drive smoothly. When driving in fog, avoid sudden stops, rapid acceleration, or frequent lane changes; 4. Sound the horn in advance when you notice an oncoming vehicle, and honk to alert others at curves, intersections, and village sections; 5. Observe carefully.
Whether to turn on the hazard lights when driving in heavy fog is a good question. Based on my years of driving experience, you shouldn’t immediately turn on the hazard lights, as they are meant for emergencies like a breakdown or accident. If you use them indiscriminately in foggy conditions, it might mislead drivers behind you into thinking your car is stationary, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision. The correct approach is to first turn on your fog lights and low beams, as they are specifically designed for low visibility and can better penetrate the fog. At the same time, slow down to a safe speed—for example, reducing from 60 km/h to 40 km/h. Maintaining a longer following distance is also crucial, giving you enough time to react in case of sudden changes. Safety comes first—don’t risk major consequences for minor gains.
