What are the safety precautions for driving in heavy fog?
3 Answers
Safety precautions for driving in heavy fog include: 1. Turn on fog lights; 2. Drive at low speed and pay attention to safety; 3. Stay in the middle of the road rather than along the roadside; 4. Do not wipe the windshield while driving to remove fog; 5. After parking, passengers should stay away from the vehicle. If the fog is too heavy and you decide to wait for it to dissipate before continuing, park the car close to the roadside with fog lights, low beams, and hazard lights on. Importantly, after parking, all passengers should exit from the right side of the vehicle and stay as far away from the road as possible. Never remain seated in the car. If parked in an emergency stopping area on the highway, it is best for passengers to climb over the guardrail and wait outside the roadbed.
After driving for so many years and encountering countless foggy days, I believe safe driving relies entirely on attention to detail. I first slow down to around 50 km/h because the fog makes the road slippery and prone to loss of control; turning on both front and rear fog lights is a must, and never use high beams as they reflect back and blur visibility even more. Maintaining at least a 100-meter distance from the car ahead is crucial, otherwise the risk of rear-end collisions increases—I frequently check the rearview mirror in fog to confirm the distance of vehicles behind me. The window defogging function must stay on to prevent fog buildup from blocking the view ahead; if the fog is too thick to see the road clearly, I prefer to find a service area and wait for it to dissipate. Long-term experience has taught me that patience and calmness are most important—not rushing saves lives. Familiar maps also help me recognize landmarks to avoid getting lost in the fog, because arriving home safely is the real victory.
As a daily commuter, I have to adjust my habits immediately when encountering heavy fog. I reduce my speed to below 60 km/h and turn on the fog lights and daytime running lights to ensure others can see me. In the city with heavy traffic, I don't follow too closely, maintaining an 80-meter distance to prevent rear-end collisions. I absolutely avoid using high beams as the scattered reflections in the city only add to the confusion. I never forget to defog the windshield to ensure clear visibility. Foggy conditions can be tiring, so I crack the window to listen to outside sounds or use navigation to help avoid obstacles. On rainy days, I'm even more cautious as wet roads increase braking distance. If possible, I switch to public transport for peace of mind, reducing risks to ensure punctuality.
