Over 50 people have been injured today as more than 130 vehicles were involved in crashes in thick fog on the A249 Sheppey crossing in Kent. This serious accident happened at around 7.15am, and highlights the dangers of poor visibility on the road. Therefore, we've put together a comprehensive guide to driving in foggy conditions.
Tips for driving in fog
Before you set off:
- Check the weather forecast before leaving your house. It's also advisable to check Met Office weather warnings.
- Plan your route. Be aware of local areas that tend to accumulate fog, like certain seaside areas, and other low-lying areas near lakes and rivers.
- Keep your car well maintained. Make sure everything is in working order, especially lights, brakes, tyres, windscreen wipers, radiator and battery. If you're unsure, you can book a completely free vehicle health check at any one of our 130 service centre locations in the UK.
Avoid travel if possible
The Met Office advises that road users avoid travel if possible during heavy fog.
As the United Kingdom's national weather service, they also issue warnings of dense fog when visibility is expected to fall below 200 metres. Severe disruption generally occurs when visibility falls below 50 metres.
Whilst driving:
There is no real special "technique for driving in fog", but there are a number of safety tips you can follow to help you stay safe. These should be considered alongside the official Highway Code guidance for driving in adverse weather conditions.
- Allow more distance than usual between vehicles - do not hang on the tail lights of the car in front, rear lights can give a false sense of security.
- Watch your speed closely as fog can give the illusion of moving in slow motion.
- Check your mirrors before you slow down. Then use your brakes so that your brake lights warn drivers behind you that you are slowing down
- Drive very slowly with dipped headlights. Full-beam lights reflect off the fog causing a ‘white wall’ effect.
- Use your windscreen wipers and demisters
- Beware of other drivers not using headlights
- Do not accelerate to get away from a vehicle which is too close behind you
- Stay in lane. Drivers have a tendency to wander into the middle of the road when visibility gets bad. Use the left edge of the road as a guide to help avoid oncoming traffic.
- Pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights if you have seriously reduced visibility.
- Use fog lights, but remember to turn them off when the visibility improves.
- Don’t speed up as soon as visibility returns. In patchy fog, it could only be a few moments before you are 'blinded' again. You could easily run into a hidden vehicle.
- Watch out for freezing fog. This kind of fog is made of water droplets that freeze on contact with objects such as the pavement, road, car, etc. It can very quickly form a layer of black ice.
Should you use your high beams?
No - as full-beam lights reflect off the fog causing a ‘white wall’ effect. You should drive very slowly with dipped headlights.
What are the rules for driving in fog?
The Highway Code rules 226 to 237 cover driving in fog. Rule 226 states that you must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). You may also use front or rear fog lights but you must switch them off when visibility improves. Driving with your fog lights on in normal weather conditions is illegal.
Multiple-vehicle collisions caused by fog in Europe over the last 20 years
A number of multiple vehicle collisions have been attributed to fog over the last 20 years - most recently the incident on the A249 in Kent. UK road traffic accident statistics confirm that driving in fog is one of the most hazardous condition facing motorists and is frequently reported as a contributory factor for road traffic accidents.
| Date | Location | Vehicles involved |
|---|---|---|
| 5 September 2013 | A249 Sheppey crossing, Kent, UK | 130+ vehicles |
| 15 January 2013 | European route E4 Helsingborg, Sweden | 100 vehicles |
| 3 February 2012 | European route E75 Helsinki, Finland | 100+ vehicles |
| 4 November 2011 | M5 Taunton, Somerset, UK | 34 vehicles |
| 23 December 2009 | M27 motorway, Botley, Hampshire, UK | 43 vehicles |
| 10 March 1997 | M42 motorway, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, UK | 160 vehicles |
| 27 February 1996 | European route E17 motorway near Nazareth, Belgium | 200 vehicles |
Source: Wikipedia
Staying safe in other hazardous weather conditions
Driving can be challenging in various weather conditions. If you find yourself caught in stormy weather, for instance, we have also produced a guide with tips on how to stay safe in your car during a thunder and lightning storm.
In any kind of weather, you really want to make sure that your car is in optimum condition. All components of your car should be in top condition, especially your lights, brakes, tyres, windscreen wipers, radiator and battery. You can book a completely free vehicle health check at any one of our 130 service centre locations in the UK.