Adverse weather conditions can quickly turn a routine drive into a dangerous one. Fog makes driving more difficult by obstructing the vision of the driver. Whenever you are driving through fog, the visibility of the roadway can vary from several yards to only a few feet in front of your vehicle. Each year in the U.S., 38,700 vehicle crashes occur due to fog, with over 16,300 injuries caused by those accidents.
Taking this bad weather seriously is essential for your safety and the safety of others. While the best way to handle poor driving conditions, like fog, is to avoid them, this is usually an unrealistic expectation. So, how should you handle driving through fog or other low visibility scenarios?
How Should I Drive in Fog?
Being aware of the impending driving conditions is always the first step to making better choices on the road. If you know that it is going to be foggy, be ready to leave earlier for work, school or any other activities that require you to drive. Some of our other tips are:
- Drive slowly. While we always advocate for driving the speed limit, it is even more imperative to drive at or below the designated speed if your route is covered with dense fog. Driving at slower speeds will give you more time to react to other drivers, obstacles and sudden turns in the road.
- Don’t use your brights. It is tempting to think that turning on your brights will help you to see better, but high beams will further impair your vision. Fog consists of tiny water droplets, whenever a lot of light shines on said droplets, the beam’s light will reflect towards the driver. Always use your low beams and fog lights if you have them.
- Don’t drive distracted. Distracted driving is already a significant cause of accidents. When you add distracting electronics, radios or passengers to a low-visibility commute, it can lead to a dangerous situation. Turn down any loud audio playing in your car and put your phone away. If there is an emergency and someone is trying to contact you, pull over to call or text.
- Pull over if you can’t see well enough. If visibility is so low that you are unable to see clearly, pulling over and letting the fog clear is the safest option.
What to Do If You Get an Injury from a Foggy Weather Accident
If an accident in foggy weather causes an injury, always seek medical attention first. While you may feel fine immediately following the accident, symptoms can develop later. It is better to be safe than sorry. If an injury has occurred due to no fault of your own, contact an expert lawyer in auto-injury. An experienced attorney can help you make sure you are receiving fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and any other damages.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, contact the lawyers at Tolbert Beadle to get someone who will fight for the compensation you deserve.
