At the end of November, a thick fog swallowed Louisiana during early morning hours. While your commute may have only looked like a scene out of a horror movie, this is a good opportunity to consider the actual peril prowling in fog.
Because fog obscures the roadways, many drivers don’t have as much time to react to dangerous situations in their path. The Federal Highway Administration reports that each year, fog plays a key role in around 28,000 crashes and 500 fatalities across the country.
However, drivers can minimize risk during fog advisories by following a few suggestions:
Tip #1: Use headlights appropriately
Even during the day, headlights can help you see farther ahead in dense fog. Be warned, though, that high-beams will only limit visibility even more. Because fog reflects the light from high beams, sticking to regular headlights or fog lights is much safer.
Tip #2: Slow down(even if you know your route by memory)
Hidden obstacles can lurk in the fog, such as pedestrians, vehicles without lights on and objects left on the street. Keep extra distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you in case they stop quickly. During foggy mornings, drive extra cautiously through neighborhoods and school zones.
Tip #3: Be prepared for accompanying weather conditions
In addition to fog, rain created slippery roads across the state. The FHA also found that wet pavement causes three quarters of weather-related crashes. Make sure your windshield wipers, brakes, and tires are well-maintained.
Unfortunately, the one thing you can’t do is control other drivers. Not everyone pays special attention to driving in conditions like fog, which can endanger the people and vehicles around them.
