Car Tips #129: How to Drive Safer In Dense Fog

By Frank-Ling / Oct 21, 2015
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Image: State FarmAdmittedly, not everyone encounters the phenomenon of driving in dense fog. But in the coastal states this is a common occurrence and local drivers know how to handle these circumstances from experience.

But if you are from out of state or are new to driving in dense fog, it can be a scary and dangerous situation as your visibility is very low and you seem to be encased in a bottle of fog.

One thing you must not do is to set your headlights on high beam. Although this seems like the logical thing to do, it is actually dangerous. Turning on your high beams will make visibility worse because the light will reflect back at you from the fog, which blinds you even more.

Turn Down the Music

If you are driving in dense fog, you need to concentrate on your surroundings. If the music is too loud or if you are intently listening to a talk show, those few milliseconds of distraction could be the difference between a car accident or stopping in time to avoid one.

Open the Window

Sound is your best friend when driving in dense fog so rolling down the windows a bit can alert you to horns blaring or other road noises that will tip you off in being prepared to stop or to avoid a situation that is coming up.

Fog Lamps? Maybe

Fog lamps can help cut through the dense fog but in some states, such as Oregon, it is illegal to have them on within 350 feet of oncoming traffic. Using them under these circumstances can levy heavy fines.

So if you have fog lamps, be certain that it is legal to use them in your state.

Use Road Reflectors as Your Guide

When dense fog hits, you can barely see the roadside. If this happens you may be able to use the reflective markers as a guide as a last resort. But you will have to be extremely careful because you’ll have to monitor what is in front of you as well. If the fog is extremely dense, do not use this method, and exit the freeway or road and wait it out.

Use the Defrosters

Dense fog can not only appear on the outside of your windshield, it can also start fogging up inside your windshield—making it even more hazardous. To clear this up just turn on your defroster, or if it isn’t working, roll down the windows to equalize the temperature.

Source: State Farm
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