What lights should be turned on when driving in foggy weather?
2 Answers
When driving in foggy weather, motor vehicles should turn on fog lights and hazard warning flashers. Precautions for driving in foggy weather include: 1. Pre-trip inspection. Before heading out, clean the windshield, headlights, and taillights, and ensure that the vehicle's lighting, braking, and other safety systems are fully functional. 2. Always carry a triangular warning sign or other warning markers in the vehicle. In case of sudden breakdowns requiring parking for repairs, place the warning sign 50 meters in front of and behind the vehicle to alert other drivers. 3. Continuously monitor the relationship between speed and visibility, and increase the following distance. The denser the fog, the shorter the visibility, and the lower the speed should be. It is recommended that when visibility is less than 100 meters but greater than 100 meters, the speed should not exceed 60 km/h; when visibility is less than 100 meters but greater than 50 meters, the speed should not exceed 40 km/h; when visibility is within 30 meters, the speed should be controlled below 20 km/h. 4. According to lighting usage principles, it is best to turn on front and rear fog lights, taillights, width markers, and low beams when driving in fog. This improves visibility, allowing you to see vehicles, pedestrians, and road conditions ahead, while also making your vehicle more noticeable to others. However, avoid using high beams.
I've been driving for over a decade and experienced many foggy days, always reminding myself that turning on fog lights is the safest approach. The front fog lights must be switched on - their low position and strong light penetration illuminate the road ahead; rear fog lights should also be activated, as their red glow makes your vehicle visible to following cars, preventing rear-end collisions. I remember one time on the highway when the fog was extremely thick and I didn't turn on the rear fog lights - a following vehicle almost hit me. Since then, I've made it a habit. Never use high beams, as they cause the fog to reflect light back and worsen visibility. Slow down your speed, increase following distance, and always check that your lights are working before setting off - these are potentially life-saving practices. Don't consider it troublesome to take that extra moment to check.
