If You Encounter Fog on the Road

A white car drives down an icy street.

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Fog can sneak up on you or even descend out of nowhere, and it presents a real driving hazard if you encounter fog when you're in the car. It is crucial to know the facts regarding how best to proceed. Motorists who fail to modify their driving to accommodate for the effects of weather, including for the detrimental effects of fog, endanger themselves and others on the roadway.

What Is Fog?

Fog is made up of minuscule water droplets suspended in the atmosphere, thus forming a cloud on the earth’s surface. The danger most closely associated with fog is reduced visibility on the road. Heavy fog refers to a mist that reduces visibility to less than a quarter of a mile ahead.

Maneuvering Safely through Fog

Fog can render the roadway extremely dangerous, and you are well-advised to stay off the roads when fog is dense. If you do find yourself unexpectedly driving in fog, adhere to all of the following safety protocols (forwarded by the Texas Department of Insurance):

  • Reduce your speed with reduced visibility (do not tailgate the fog itself). Allow yourself additional time to perceive any upcoming obstacles and to react safely to those obstacles.
  • Stay alert to your surroundings – fog can become significantly thicker without warning or can become incrementally thicker without you noticing.
  • Make sure your low-beam lights and fog lights (if you have them) are on – and hit your hazard lights. Do not engage your high-beam lights.
  • Keep your windshield as clear as possible by engaging your defrost system appropriately and using your windshield-washing fluid and windshield wipers as needed.
  • Do your best to distance yourself from other vehicles.
  • Remember that fog also makes the road wet, which makes slipping and sliding more likely.
  • Be on the lookout for vehicles that may be slowing their speed or stopping altogether.
  • Remain in careful control of your vehicle, and do not engage your cruise control.
  • Use the road’s rightmost edge, roadside reflectors, or painted lines to guide you.
  • Do not forget to listen for vehicles that you may be unable to see.
  • Do not pass another vehicle or change lanes unless it is necessary to do so. When you do, signal early and ease your brakes instead of stomping on them.
  • If visibility is too low to proceed safely, exit the roadway as soon as you possibly can or pull as far off the roadway as possible – keeping your hazard lights engaged.

Seek the Legal Counsel of an Experienced Killeen Personal Injury Attorney

Fog is a dangerous driving hazard that can come up unexpectedly, and that requires careful navigation. If another motorist’s negligent driving practices leave you injured in a traffic accident that was precipitated by fog, attorney Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Killeen, Texas, has the experience, commitment, and resources you are looking for. To learn more, please do not hesitate to contact or call us at (254) 220-4225 today.

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