Safety Tips for Driving through Fog

Once the temperature and the dew point become the same, fog can form. Driving in these conditions can be challenging, even in light fog. But it can be especially dangerous when the fog is heavy and visibility is severely limited. Below are some driving safety tips for when you must travel through fog.

When Conditions are Foggy: Tips to Make Your Drive Safer

If possible, postpone driving when there is heavy fog. Note that it’s usually worse in the early morning hours.

Keep the following tips in mind when driving in fog:

• use low beam lights (fog can reflect high beam lights to further reduce visibility);
• reduce your speed;
• increase driving distance between vehicles (don’t tailgate);
• be prepared for fog that suddenly becomes thicker;
• crack the window open to listen for traffic that might be difficult to see;
• don’t suddenly stop or slow down, as it could lead to a chain reaction accident;
• be prepared for other vehicles to suddenly stop or slow down;
• use your defrosters and windshield wipers;
• don’t use cruise control;
• use painted road markings as a guide;
• signal well in advance when making a turn or changing lanes;
• avoid unnecessary passing;
• avoid frequent lane changes; and
• reduce distractions (e.g., cell phone, food).

If your car becomes disabled or the conditions are dangerous enough that it becomes necessary to pull off the road, make sure your vehicle is safely out of traffic. Turn off the lights, so that others don’t mistake it as someone driving. If you do turn on your lights, only use your hazards. Then move away from your vehicle.

How Inclement Weather Conditions Impacts an Accident Case

Fog, rain, snow or any other hazardous weather conditions can increase the risk of an accident. However, the weather cannot take responsibility for someone’s actions behind the wheel. Drivers should take precautions when driving in inclement weather and avoid risky and reckless behavior.

Colorado is an at-fault state, so you must determine which driver was responsible for the accident. In some cases it could be that both are partially to blame. Once this has been established, you may pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

Let’s say a driver is traveling down East Colfax Avenue in Denver. Foggy conditions have reduced visibility. The driver makes a left turn, failing to yield to an oncoming vehicle. When police respond to the accident, the driver indicates he couldn’t see the approaching car because it was foggy.

Even under normal circumstances, a left turn crash is typically the fault of the person who turned. Drivers should only make this maneuver when it’s safe to do so. If there is fog, drivers should use even greater caution.

However, if both drivers were responsible for a collision, both will eventually be assigned a degree of fault. As long as a party isn’t 50 percent or more at fault, he or she can recover damages minus his or her percentage of fault for the accident. If you were in an accident, learn more about accident cases in D.J. Banovitz’s free eBook, 7 Costly Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Colorado Injury Case. Call 303-300-5060 to schedule your free consultation.