The ability to see and to hear clearly is vital for drivers to take in information and to be able to make appropriate decisions.
Fog is therefore the most potentially dangerous of all weather conditions. Freezing fog - when poor visibility is compounded by the road surface being slippery - is a driver's worst nightmare. Driving in fog should be avoided when possible.
Remember to drive defensively and always to be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear. If the fog closes in, then lose more speed. In any conditions of reduced visibility, an accident involving one vehicle can quickly involve many others, especially if they are driving too fast and too close to one another. Multiple vehicle pile-ups reported in the media demonstrate that many drivers do not adjust their driving sufficiently for the conditions.
If you must drive follow the weather forecasts and general advice to drivers through the local and national media.
Reduce your speed and keep it down - can you stop in time?
Allow plenty of extra time for your journey.
Check your car before you set off. Make sure everything is in good working order, especially the lighting systems.
Switch on headlights and fog lamps if visibility is reduced.
If you can see the vehicles to your rear, the drivers behind will be able to see you - switch off your rear fog lamps to avoid dazzling them. Think of them as rear main beams!
Use the demister and windscreen wipers. Remember that fog also makes the road wet and slippery.
Do not 'hang on' to the rear lights of the car in front as you will be too close to be able to brake safely.
Switch off distracting noise and open the window slightly so that you can listen for other traffic, especially at crossroads and junctions.
Beware of speeding up immediately visibility improves slightly. In patchy fog you could find yourself 'driving blind' again only moments later. Always imagine that there is a broken down vehicle just on the other side of the fog bank. Could you stop in the distance you can see to be clear?
