What issues should be paid attention to when driving in foggy weather?
2 Answers
Issues to be noted when driving in foggy weather: 1. Before setting off, check whether the wipers are in good condition. When fog condenses on the windshield while driving, ensure the wipers can smoothly remove the moisture to maintain clear visibility; 2. Vehicle lighting - drivers should turn on both front and rear fog lights. In cases of extremely dense fog, hazard lights can be activated to make the vehicle more visible to following drivers, thereby preventing rear-end collisions and side-swipe accidents; 3. Observe speed limits and apply brakes gently and steadily during driving. This serves two purposes: controlling speed and alerting following vehicles through brake light illumination to maintain safe distances; 4. Frequent horn use serves as a warning. When hearing horns from vehicles behind, respond immediately by honking to indicate your position; 5. Drive in the middle of the lane rather than along the roadside to prevent collisions with guardrails or emergency-parked vehicles; 6. When encountering areas of thick fog where entering nearby service areas isn't feasible, safely pull over and wait while keeping fog lights, width indicators, and tail lights on; 7. If the windshield fogs up, turn on the air conditioning or slightly open the windows to eliminate or prevent fogging.
When driving in foggy conditions, I always exercise extra caution as heavy fog significantly reduces visibility and can easily lead to accidents. First, I reduce my speed to a safe range, at least half slower than usual, to allow more reaction time. Turning on fog lights or low beams is essential, but never use high beams as they reflect off the fog and impair visibility further. Maintaining a safe following distance is crucial; I increase it to twice the normal distance to avoid sudden braking and rear-end collisions. Keeping the windshield clean is important to prevent moisture or dirt from obscuring my view, and using the defroster function of the air conditioner helps a lot. Staying focused is a must—I turn off my phone and music to avoid distractions and stay alert to road conditions and signs. If the fog is so thick that I can’t even see the taillights of the car ahead, I find a safe spot like a rest area to pull over and wait, rather than pushing through. Regularly checking the vehicle’s lights and braking system helps prevent malfunctions, and planning my route in advance during heavy fog can reduce risks. In short, safety comes first, and driving slowly is always the right choice.
