What to Do When Encountering Patchy Fog on the Highway?
1 Answers
When encountering patchy fog on the highway, the following measures should be taken: 1. Speed control is most important: In foggy conditions, strictly adhere to the speed limits set by traffic rules. When visibility is less than 200 meters but greater than 100 meters, speed should not exceed 60 km/h; when visibility is less than 100 meters but greater than 50 meters, speed should not exceed 40 km/h; and when visibility is below 30 meters, speed should be controlled under 20 km/h. 2. Use lights properly for safety: Turn on the tail lights and front fog lights. If stopping in heavy fog, do not turn on the rear fog light. Instead, activate the hazard lights to alert following vehicles. 3. Avoid sudden steering: It is particularly important not to abruptly press or release the accelerator, and definitely avoid emergency braking or sharp turns. If you need to reduce speed, first ease off the accelerator gently, then apply the brakes lightly several times to prevent rear-end collisions. 4. Follow vehicles without overtaking: Overtaking is strictly prohibited in foggy conditions. If you see a vehicle ahead moving to the right, do not blindly go around it; consider whether it might be avoiding an oncoming vehicle. When passing parked vehicles, ensure they are not about to start moving and that there are no oncoming vehicles, then sound the horn appropriately and pass slowly from the left. 5. Stop if visibility is too low: If visibility drops below 10 meters, pull over to a safe area or parking lot and wait for conditions to improve. If you must drive in fog, choose a speed that allows you to stop quickly if needed (your sight distance must exceed the braking distance). 6. Check mirrors frequently: Even without fog, regularly check your rearview mirrors to monitor vehicles behind you, and avoid tailgating. 7. Slow down and move to the rightmost lane: If you observe patchy fog ahead that obstructs visibility, immediately reduce speed to ensure a smooth stop with room to spare. Before entering the fog, if conditions allow, signal and move to the rightmost lane. This ensures you can quickly enter the emergency lane if traffic ahead is blocked, avoiding rear-end collisions. 8. Lakeside areas are prone to patchy fog: Experienced drivers know that in autumn and winter, areas near lakes are more likely to have sudden patches of fog. 9. Sharp turns are especially hazardous in fog: Sharp turns are already accident-prone areas, and fog can severely limit visibility, making them even more dangerous. Avoid sudden acceleration, braking, or steering in foggy conditions on sharp turns. 10. Long downhill stretches are risky in fog: Long downhill sections often have challenging weather conditions. Many drivers tend to brake continuously, which can lead to brake failure, especially when brakes are less responsive in fog. When descending in fog, use lower gears to control speed rather than relying solely on brakes, and never coast in neutral or with the engine off. Approach long downhill sections cautiously at reduced speed, avoiding sudden stops unless necessary.
