10 tips to help you drive in foggy weather
With the onset of winter, Delhi and other cities in northern India experience foggy weather. Driving in poor visibility, or rather zero visibility, becomes difficult and dangerous.
Driving in such situations requires caution, preparedness, patience, and compliance with safety rules. This article by Zeenews contains winter driving tips that will help you ensure safe driving in fog.
Use fog lights
Modern cars are equipped with fog lights specially designed for use in foggy conditions. Mounted on the lower part of the front and rear bumpers, fog lights provide better visibility of your surroundings in foggy conditions.
Keep the headlights on
Keeping your headlights on is useful for several reasons. First, headlights improve visibility by cutting through fog to some extent. Avoid using white LED headlights and high beams. In both cases, the light is scattered. In addition, when the headlights are on, the taillights come on and serve as a guide for cars behind you.
Keep a safe distance
Reaction times increase with decreasing visibility. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you. Also, try to follow the taillights of the vehicles in front of you to understand how to proceed and keep a safe distance between them and yourself.
Drive at a controlled speed
Avoid driving fast in foggy conditions. Although travel time may increase slightly, you will have more time to change directions or make maneuvers to avoid hazards.
Turn on the windshield wipers and defroster
Make sure the windshield wipers are working properly and use them to keep your vision clear. Also, turn on the defroster to avoid fogging up the inside of the windshield.
Avoid sudden maneuvers
Avoid sudden lane changes or aggressive driving in fog. Signal in advance and make gradual maneuvers to minimize the risk of accidents.
Follow the road markings
Pay close attention to road markings to stay within your lane. These visual cues are important in low visibility conditions and play a crucial role in driving safely.
Plan your route
Familiarize yourself with the route you intend to take and, if possible, choose main roads that are likely to be well-lit and better maintained in foggy weather.
Be aware of weather conditions
Keep a close eye on weather forecasts, especially during the winter months. Be aware of foggy conditions and plan your trips accordingly. If possible, choose to travel during daylight hours when visibility is usually better.
Have an emergency first aid kit ready
Make sure you always have an emergency kit in your vehicle that includes essentials such as a flashlight, first aid supplies, and a fully charged cell phone. These things can be invaluable in the event of an emergency.