What lights should be turned on when driving in fog?
3 Answers
When driving in fog, the following lights should be turned on: 1. In heavy fog, turn on your position lights and headlights. If your vehicle is equipped with fog lights, activate both front and rear fog lights. Fog lights have strong penetration, making it easier for vehicles ahead and behind to identify your car. 2. In addition to turning on fog lights, you should also activate the hazard warning lights (double flashing lights). The flashing can serve as an effective warning, just remember to switch them off when turning. Here are some precautions regarding fog light usage: Fog lights are brighter than regular vehicle lights and have strong scattering effects. Therefore, never turn on fog lights when they're not needed, as they may interfere with other drivers' vision, especially for oncoming vehicles. In severe cases, this could potentially cause accidents.
When driving in fog, I believe turning on the front and rear fog lights is crucial. From my driving experience, visibility can be extremely low in heavy fog, and fog lights help the light penetrate the fog better, illuminating the road at a moderate distance ahead. Avoid using high beams, as they reflect off the fog, creating a blinding white haze that makes it hard to see. I’ve tried it myself—once I switched to high beams, I couldn’t see anything and nearly had an accident. Also, make sure the rear fog light is on so that vehicles behind you can spot you early and avoid rear-end collisions. Other safety tips are equally important, such as reducing speed to maintain a safe distance, driving at least 10-20 mph below the speed limit, and keeping the windows closed to minimize fog interference inside the car. Remember, safety comes first—don’t cut corners by relying solely on hazard lights, as they’re far less effective. Every time I drive in fog, I make it a habit to check the fog light switch, which is usually located near the steering wheel in most cars.
I remember once driving on a long-distance trip when I encountered heavy fog. I immediately turned on the front and rear fog lights, and instantly felt the road became much clearer. Before turning on the fog lights, visibility was less than five meters, but after turning them on, I could see at least twenty meters ahead, avoiding many obstacles. Along the way, I saw someone using high beams, which caused chaotic light reflection like a white curtain, making it impossible to see anything—how dangerous! Since then, I always prioritize turning on the fog lights in foggy conditions to avoid mistakes. If the car doesn’t have fog lights, I use low beams plus rear fog lights as an emergency measure, but newer models are usually equipped with them. Drive slowly, maintain twice the usual following distance, use the wipers to clear fog, and avoid sudden braking to reduce skidding. In short, don’t panic in foggy conditions—steady and safe driving is the best approach.