What to Do When Visibility is 50 Meters on the Highway?
4 Answers
On the highway with visibility of 50 meters, slow down and drive cautiously; turn on the hazard lights, fog lights, and high beams, which means all lights should be on. Here is some information about high beams: 1. Definition: The intensity of the light is adjusted based on the distance of the filament. The high beam focuses its light, emitting parallel rays that are more concentrated and brighter, allowing illumination of distant and high objects. 2. Function: The low beam focuses its light beyond its focal point (between 1x and 2x the focal distance), emitting divergent light that illuminates a larger area of nearby objects. 3. Usage: When driving at night on highways without streetlights or in rural areas without illumination, high beams can be used to expand the field of vision. However, when encountering oncoming traffic, it is advisable to switch to low beams for safety and courtesy.
That time I was driving on the highway when suddenly fog rolled in, visibility was probably only around 50 meters—I could barely make out the taillights of the car ahead. I immediately slowed down to about 40 km/h, not daring to go any faster because higher speeds posed too much risk. I quickly turned on the front and rear fog lights along with the low beams, and also checked that the windows were clear of condensation to ensure better visibility. I kept a following distance of at least 100 meters, closely tracking the taillights of the car in front, avoiding lane changes or overtaking, just steadily cruising in the slow lane. Meanwhile, I listened to navigation prompts to find the nearest exit or service area; after driving for roughly 10 minutes, I finally reached a rest stop safely and parked, only then letting out a sigh of relief. In such weather, the key is not to rush—safety comes first. After all, accidents often happen in split seconds, and prevention is always better than regret. Remember, when driving in fog, your vehicle must be fully equipped—I always check that all lights are functioning properly before every trip.
As a driver, when encountering highway visibility as low as 50 meters, it feels like there's a veil over my eyes, making it hard to see anything clearly. I immediately reduce my speed to 30-40 km/h—any faster would be too risky. Then, I turn on the fog lights and hazard lights to make sure vehicles behind can easily spot me. I maintain a distance of eight to ten car lengths from the vehicle ahead, ensuring I don’t tailgate to avoid rear-end collisions. During this time, I turn off the in-car music to focus entirely on the road, avoiding any distractions like phone calls. Changing lanes or overtaking? Absolutely not—I stick to slow and steady driving. The ultimate goal is to find a safe parking spot, such as a service area or highway exit, and wait there until the fog clears. Driving in such low visibility is mentally exhausting, so I recommend checking the weather forecast in advance. If fog is predicted, it’s best to avoid the highway altogether if possible.
When encountering visibility of 50 meters on the highway, I definitely feel nervous, but I know I must stay calm. I will immediately reduce my speed to below 50 km/h, as higher speeds make visibility even worse. I'll turn on all lights, including fog lights and rear lights. Maintaining a safe distance is crucial—at least a four-second rule: counting four seconds from when the car ahead passes a point until I reach it. I avoid changing lanes unnecessarily and stay in my lane at a slow speed. If I feel I can't continue, I'll pull over to the shoulder slowly and look for an opportunity to exit the highway. Regular checks of tires and lights can be a big help.
