Driving in the fog is one of the scariest events an unsuspecting driver might face. Fog decreases visibility and significantly decreases a person’s hand-eye-coordination and reaction time to hazards on the road. These tips will help increase your safety while driving in foggy conditions.

Never High Beams

Fog is a collection of tiny water droplets in the air. When light shines in the air and hits these water particles, they behave like a mirror that reflects the light back towards you. Using your car’s high beams exasperates this problem by providing even more light for reflection. Decrease the amount of light reflected by fog by using your car’s low beams. Though conditions feel dark, this technique will increase how much you can see.

Pull Over

When airports are too foggy, airplanes do not attempt to take off or land at them. In fact, incoming planes divert to the nearest airports to protect passengers. Drivers should handle fog with the same caution. Visibility is crucial while driving, and if you are not able to perceive anything around you, it might be best to pull over on the side of the road until the fog becomes less dense or clears. If you cannot do this and it is necessary to continue driving, you should increase your visibility by using your defroster and windshield wipers to eliminate any condensation that may be fogging up your windows.

Slow Down & Increase Following Distance

Stopping is always the safest option during foggy conditions. However, stopping is not a feasible solution—the next best option is to slow your traveling speed. Notably, foggy conditions provide the sensation that you are driving much slower than you are, so pay attention to your speedometer. If driving behind other cars, increase your following distance. Doing so will give you time to stop if the car in front of you has an accident caused by poor visibility.

Listen for Surrounding Traffic

Though it might sound inopportune during cold weather, open your windows slightly to listen for hazards. Since your vision is not as beneficial as it should be while driving, it will help to use your sense of hearing to increase your chance of avoiding a car accident.