Danger Fog Ahead
Driving in the fog is the most dangerous driving condition there is. Essentially you are driving through a cloud, as fog is composed of suspended water droplets. Serious multi-car accidents have occurred, so paying attention and taking precautions are paramount!
Fog can spring up without any warning at all! So slow down, w...a...y....d...o...w...n! Driving in fog is like being blindfolded, so you lose your most important sense, which is vision. Try rolling down your window and listen to any sounds of traffic, it might give you some sense of distance. It's important to know where you are relative to other vehicles on the road.
You are fooling yourself if you think turning on your high-beams are going to help. This is the worst thing you can do, as you will get the "whiteout effect", limiting your vision even more. So turn on your low-beams and creep along. If you are on a roadway that is equipped with fog warning signs, then you might see a pulsing light from that sign. Pay close attention to it, as you might glean some information that can help with exits and other road conditions.
Don't change lanes. But if you must for any reason, make sure you use the appropriate signals way in advance to warn other drivers. The last thing you want to do is to surprise the other driver, causing him or her to brake unnecessarily!
Fog means moisture. And with that moisture comes slick driving conditions. So not only do you have fog going against you, the additional element of rain adds danger to the mix. Just like driving in rainy conditions, be careful when you brake, and don't brake on a curve.
You might get a clue as to what vehicle is in front of you by looking at the tire prints. Stay in those tire tracks if possible, and keep your speed down as hydroplaning can occur in the moist conditions. Most cars today are equipped with anti-lock brakes and are designed to vibrate or "pulse" when the brake pedal is depressed. This is normal and it means your car is adjusting to the roadway. Fast pulsing brakes are safer when slowing down than constant pressure put on them and can reduce the chances of a skid.
Patience is the keyword! You will get to where you want to go in one piece if you are patient. So keep alert and watch your speed!
