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when driving in fog you should

When driving in fog you should slow down, use low‑beam headlights (and fog lights if you have them), and greatly increase your following distance to give yourself more time to react. If visibility becomes extremely poor, the safest option is often to pull over in a secure place away from traffic and wait for conditions to improve.

Key actions in fog

  • Reduce speed so you can stop within the distance you can actually see ahead.
  • Turn on low‑beam headlights and fog lights; avoid high beams because they reflect off the fog and make visibility worse.
  • Increase following distance well beyond normal (at least double), so you have time to brake gently if the vehicle in front slows or stops.
  • Use the right edge of the road or painted lane markings as a guide instead of focusing on oncoming headlights.
  • Use wipers and the defroster to keep the windshield clear and reduce glare.
  • Minimize distractions: turn down the radio, avoid phone use, and stay alert for other vehicles you may not see until late.

What you should avoid

  • Do not use high‑beam headlights; they bounce off water droplets in the fog and reduce your ability to see.
  • Do not tailgate or “follow their taillights” closely just to feel oriented; this is a common cause of multi‑car crashes in fog.
  • Do not speed just because you “know the road” or feel like you are going slowly; rely on the speedometer, not your perception.
  • Do not stop in the travel lane; if you must stop, pull completely off the roadway (preferably into a parking area or rest stop) and turn on hazard lights so others can see you.

If the fog becomes too dense

  • Gradually slow down and signal early so drivers behind you have warning.
  • Move to a safe area well off the road, such as a parking lot, rest area, or wide shoulder away from traffic lanes.
  • Keep your lights on and hazard lights activated while stopped, and wait until visibility improves before re‑entering traffic.

TL;DR: When driving in fog you should slow down, use low beams and fog lights, leave a large gap to the vehicle ahead, follow lane/road edge markings, and pull over safely if you cannot see enough to drive.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.