What to Do When Sudden Fog Occurs on the Highway?
2 Answers
When encountering heavy fog on the highway, follow these steps: 1. Strictly control your speed: Due to low visibility in foggy conditions, maintain a speed between 40~60 km/h, and do not exceed 80 km/h. If visibility is extremely poor, it is advisable to pull over to a safe area or parking lot and wait until the fog dissipates or visibility improves before continuing. 2. Use lights correctly: Before driving in fog, thoroughly check all lighting systems, including fog lights, tail lights, width indicators, and low beams, to maximize visibility and clearly observe vehicles and pedestrians. Importantly, avoid using high beams in fog, as their upward-angled light reflects off the fog, creating a blinding white haze that reduces visibility. 3. Maintain clear visibility: Fog can cause condensation on the windshield, impairing the driver's view and making oncoming headlights appear overly bright. Use the windshield wipers frequently to remove moisture and enhance clarity. 4. Use the horn frequently: Poor visibility in fog means frequent horn use can alert pedestrians and other vehicles. When you hear another car's horn, respond immediately by honking to indicate your position. 5. Avoid overtaking in fog: If you see a vehicle pulled over to the right, do not blindly go around it—consider whether it is yielding to oncoming traffic.
When I encountered fog on the highway, I immediately slowed down to below 60 km/h and maintained a following distance at least twice as long as usual. I turned on the fog lights—never use high beams, as the reflection off the fog can create a blinding white haze, making it impossible to see anything. Then, if the windshield fogs up inside, I quickly switch the air conditioning to defog mode, keeping the temperature moderate. If the fog is extremely dense and visibility drops below 50 meters, I gradually pull over to the emergency lane or shoulder, turn on the hazard warning lights, and wait for the fog to clear before continuing. I also keep an eye on weather alerts via radio or navigation apps. Don’t forget to check tire pressure, as wet and slippery conditions in foggy weather make poor tire conditions more prone to skidding.
