What Lights Should Be Turned On When Driving in Fog?
4 Answers
In adverse weather conditions such as heavy fog, rain, or snow, drivers should promptly turn on the fog lights on their vehicles to ensure visibility to other drivers. Here are the relevant details: 1. In foggy conditions, the visibility of the road ahead is low, severely affecting the driver's field of vision and making it difficult to judge the distance of vehicles ahead. Therefore, fog lights should be activated promptly to alert following vehicles and prevent accidents. 2. The front fog lights of a vehicle are yellow, while the rear fog lights are red. Due to their high brightness and strong penetration, fog lights do not scatter due to fog, making them effective in preventing accidents when used correctly. In foggy weather, both front and rear fog lights are typically used together. 3. Additionally, when driving in fog, it is important to note the following: when visibility is less than 200 meters, the speed should not exceed 60 km/h, and a distance of at least 100 meters should be maintained from the vehicle ahead in the same lane; when visibility is less than 100 meters, the speed should not exceed 40 km/h, and a distance of at least 50 meters should be maintained; when visibility is less than 50 meters, the speed should not exceed 20 km/h, and the driver should exit the highway at the nearest available exit as soon as possible.
After driving for so many years, I've learned to be extra cautious about light selection in foggy conditions. Remember to turn on the front and rear fog lights—they're positioned low and have strong illumination that can penetrate thick fog to light up the road ahead without scattering light like high beams, which can impair visibility for both you and others. Using low beams is also crucial in fog, as they provide essential supplemental lighting. Avoiding high beams is absolutely necessary—I've seen cases where drivers using high beams actually had worse visibility, doubling the risk of accidents. Additionally, reduce your speed to less than half of the normal speed, frequently check the rearview mirror, and maintain a safe following distance to ensure safe driving. It's best to check if the fog light buttons are functioning properly before setting off. For vehicles without fog lights, rely solely on low beams but exercise even greater caution. These habits apply whether you're on the highway or in the city, ensuring a safe journey. Remember to turn off the fog lights promptly once the fog clears to avoid disturbing others—cultivating this good habit can save a lot of trouble.
Last week, the heavy fog made my drive to work feel like navigating through clouds. As soon as I got in the car, I turned on the front and rear fog lights—designed specifically for dense fog, their focused beams cut straight through without scattering. Remember, never mistakenly switch on the high beams; they diffuse light into halos, blurring your vision and doubling the danger. Paired with low beams for basic illumination, I drove slowly in the right lane the entire way. A friend advised against high-speed overtaking, so I maintained a steady 30 km/h and left an extra 20 meters of buffer distance from the car ahead. Though the journey was slow, I arrived home safely—a reminder to everyone: check your lights before heading out. Making this a habit during daily commutes can significantly reduce the risk of accidents in foggy conditions. Rear fog lights are especially crucial—they ensure trailing vehicles spot you early to avoid rear-end collisions, so keep them on throughout city drives without skipping.
As a car enthusiast, I often research fog driving techniques. The primary rule is to turn on the front and rear fog lights along with low beams. Fog lights are specifically designed for low visibility conditions, offering better light penetration. High beams must be avoided at all costs as they scatter light and worsen visibility obstruction. A simple practice is to activate the fog light button upon starting the car, usually located near the rearview mirror. If fog lights are unavailable, use only low beams but exercise extra caution and keep speed below 40 km/h. When driving, slow down and maintain double the usual safe distance. On highways, it's advisable to shift to a lower gear in advance. Proper light selection is directly related to safety—make it a habit.
