Fog can be a very complex hazard for drivers. It may not technically affect the road surface the way that rain or snow would, but it does impact visibility. It can also come on very suddenly. A driver may have clear roads for the majority of their trip and then suddenly come over a hill to find themselves in a bank of fog. They can’t see at all.
In a situation like this, how should you react? Should you simply stop driving? Is it too dangerous to continue when you can’t see?
Taking appropriate action
In some cases, experts from the National Weather Service will advise safety steps like turning on your hazard lights. They also note that it’s usually best to use your low beams, rather than your high beams. But they do acknowledge that stopping your vehicle is likely the safest option if you can’t see at all and these other tactics don’t help.
But the key thing to keep in mind is that you need to pull off the road and find a safe location to stop. Even after you do so, keep those hazard lights on.
What sometimes happens is that people will panic and stop driving in the middle of the travel lane, waiting for the fog to clear. This is highly unsafe. They may assume that other drivers behind them are also going to stop, but no guarantee that will actually happen. Another driver may continue at 60 miles an hour with almost zero visibility, and they are just going to rear-end the vehicle that is stopped in the lane.
Have you been injured by a driver who made a mistake in conditions like fog or rain? If so, take the time to look into your legal options to seek compensation.