The nights are drawing in and the weather has taken a turn towards the lower end of the thermometer. The temperature can change very quickly, which can create one of the most dangerous types of weather for driving – fog.

The idea of foggy old England is a bit of a stereotype, so you might not encounter this type of weather on the road often. Being caught in the fog can be a dangerous time to drive. We’ve put together this quick guide to help you navigate the mist. Here are our top tips for driving in the fog.

Take your time

The thing with fog is that you don’t know how long it will last for. If you are driving in these foggy conditions, the likelihood of accidents on the road can increase. Most of these will be caused by drivers treating the fog conditions as if they are normal.

The best thing you can do when fog hits is to slow down and take your time. Give yourself breathing space so you don’t have to rush from A to B through the fog. Instead, take it slow and ensure you have time to react to the road ahead of you.

Clear your windscreen

Visibility is the biggest factor in foggy weather, with the distance you can see dramatically reduced by the density of the fog. The last thing you want is to have to be straining through a dirty windscreen to see what obstacles are in the road ahead. So, if your windscreen isn’t clean, give it a good wipe to ensure you have maximum visibility.

Check your lights are working

Your lights will be vital in the foggy conditions. Check your headlights, indicators and especially your brake lights, to ensure the bulbs are working and bright enough. If your brake lights aren’t working and you brake sharply, you could find yourself very easily getting rear ended.

Plan your route

Foggy conditions are not the time to be trying out a new route or attempting a shortcut to your destination. Getting lost in the fog will only increase your stress levels, making you less in control behind the wheel.

Before you head out on the road, plan your route. If you can, stick to main roads that are well illuminated or have a decent road surface. That way you will be less likely to have an accident and, if the worst does happen, you’ll be in a location you know where you can easily guide the breakdown service to your vehicle.

Use your full beam lights carefully

The maximum setting of your headlights is designed for foggy weather. But, if the fog is too thick, it won’t help that much. Use the lights to guide your path ahead as much as possible. You will need to use your own judgement on whether the full beam is helping or not.

Be extra careful when oncoming traffic is on the way. While the lights will reveal your presence on the road, it could easily dazzle the driver as they come, making it more difficult for them to stay on the road.

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