There are a couple things that terrify us on the road. Driving merrily along only to find yourself stuck behind a disaster of trucks is just 1 example. We’re actually not sure what the collective noun for many trucks is, but ‘disaster’ seems apt. Another thing that tends to frighten us is when we’re behind the wheel and making our way through to our holiday destination, and then suddenly! We come up against a blanket of fog.
When this happens, you can’t see anything. The words ‘compromised vision’ are completely inadequate when it comes to describing the experience of driving into a wall of fog.
It’s tempting to simply pull over, but when the fog is that dense, it’s hard to tell if you’re pulling over safely or not. So, while this might seem like the best option… You do need to be 100% sure that it’s safe and that you’re not in the way of any other drivers. Remember, they can’t see you either.
Thankfully, we’ve got expert advice aimed at helping you drive in foggy conditions, which we’d love to share with you right now.
What to do before you set out
Let’s say that you’ve checked your route and the weather in this area, and you’ve come across a fog alert. In this case, we’d urge you with cherries on top to avoid setting off until the fog has lifted. Rather postpone your start time then take the risk of what could go wrong, because honestly, the chances are that you’re going to be delayed in the fog anyway.
If you absolutely can’t delay your trip, we urge you to check your lights to make sure the lenses are clean, the bulbs are working, and that you know where the different switches are.
The king’s ‘driving in fog’ checklist
The thing about fog is that it quite often appears as if from nowhere, which is why it’s good to have this info in the back of your mind for when the fog sneaks up on you, suddenly enveloping the road in its cloak of invisibility.
Here’s what to do:
- Switch your headlights on and dip your beams.
- Don’t turn on your main beam because this reflects the fog, reduces visibility, and dazzles oncoming cars.
- Fog lights are intense, so only use these when visibility is very poor (like when you can’t see the bumper of the car in front of you) and switch off for the sake of the other drivers when the fog lifts.
- Avoid condensation and get to work de-misting the inside of your car by turning on your windscreen and rear windscreen heaters or aircon (whichever works).
- Consider opening your windows a little bit to help with the condensation and to hear what’s going on around you.
- Turn your radio off, because this will help you concentrate.
- Drive slowly and steadily.
- Keep as much distance between you and the car in front of you as possible.
- Fog can create a light damp layer on the road surface, so drive carefully knowing that the road could be slippery.
The king cares (we all do)
At the end of the day, we want you to be safe and sound on the road, so we hope that you find these simple tips helpful and easy to execute. Also, please make sure that you’ve got the right car insurance to help you deal with any incidents that occur as a result of the fog.
With these tips and the king’s comprehensive car insurance, you can drive through the fog with more peace of mind.
If you want insurance that cares about your wellbeing and puts the ‘fun’ in ‘functional’, get a commitment-free quote online or WhatsApp/call us on 0860 50 50 50 today.
