Safe Driving in Fog
Fog is the most hazardous of all driving conditions encountered in India and its essential to know how to handle it safely.
Fog reduces visibility drastically and we lose almost our peripheral vision and due to lack of contrast with the surroundings, there's scope for dangerous crashes.
However, scientific insights are always there to rescue us from the toughest conditions and let's learn them.
Fog and Tyndall Effect : Fog is a suspension of tiny water droplets in air that reduces visibility. When light falls on the suspended water droplets, it scatters and reduces visibility to drivers. Fog can be seen in winters and very common in Northern part of India.
Challenges in Fog :
1. Reduced Visibility - Drivers may struggle to see vehicles, road signs, lane markings, or pedestrians.
2. Difficulty in judging distance - our brain perceives that the objects that are not clear are far off and objects that are clear are closer. With fog, objects that are closer to us is perceived to be far due to the reduced visibility and there is a crash risk.
3. Speed Judgement - Lack of contrast with the surrounding environment which may make us believe that we are driving slower and may unintentionally speed up
4. Lack of Peripheral Vision - with lack of contrast, we don't see objects until they're so close.
5. Improper Lights Usage - Drivers may fail to use lights and improper light usage like hazard lights aggravates the problem and increases glare.
How to reduce risk of crash in fog ?
0. Keep windshield and mirrors very clear as any dust may scatter light
1. Always use low beam lights and fog lights ( front/rear )
2. Never use high beam lights as high beams scatter the light in your eyes and blind you even further. Watch the clip and see the difference.
3. There is no need to use hazard lights
See the difference the lights make and never use high beam in fog.
Never be overconfident in foggy weather. Listen to the boasting by the cab driver at the end of the clip.
5. Increase following distance and never tailgate.
6. If you are not confident enough to drive, take a break and drive when there's no fog.
7. Reduce speed and do not cross 40 kmph. Do not drive very slow as well as there's a rear end risk.
8. Do not drive in clusters as there's a serious risk of pileups. Remember that other drivers are blinded as well.
If required, follow a heavy vehicle at a 5-6 seconds distance and continue to drive as it reduces the risk of light scattering and it helps as a sweeper vehicle.
Summary :
1. Use Low-Beam Headlights: High beams scatter light in fog, making visibility worse.
2. Reduce Speed: Drive slower to allow more reaction time.
3. Maintain Safe Distances: Keep a larger gap between vehicles.
4. Use Fog Lights: Use fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.
5. Follow Road Markings: Use lane markings as a guide when visibility is poor.
6. Avoid Sudden Movements: Be smooth with steering, braking, and accelerating. 7. Use Defoggers/Wipers: Keep windows and windshields clear.
8. Pull Over if Necessary: If visibility is too poor, find a safe spot to wait until conditions improve.