Driving is a task of great responsibility. You must be aware of the car and its surroundings. Foggy weather is dangerous for drivers as it limits their vision of the driver. It can be hazardous for the driver and can cause an unfavorable incident if safety precautions are not followed
Having a car with high ground clearance and bigger tires is preferred in such weather as it provides better vision and braking than a sedan or hatchback. You can look for a g63 rental in Dubai if you are willing to acquire it for the foggy season,
Road safety tips to efficiently drive in foggy climates are mentioned in the blog
Use Optimal Headlights
The headlights of the car are responsible for the best vision in any kind of weather. It is advised to keep them maintained during rainy and foggy seasons as it requires more than usual light. Use specifically designed fog lamps and bright headlights to get a clearer view of the road. Headlights also indicate to the other drivers about your presence on the road so use yellow or white lights so the other drivers can identify your vehicle conveniently. Never use headlights on full beam as fog reflects the light so it will do more harm than good.
Reduce Speed
You can reduce the speed of your vehicle to avoid any accidents. Do not increase the speed of your car whether it’s day or night time. It does not matter if you see any other car on the road or not. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Keep track of your speedometer and stay 20 km/h below the speed limit as fog sets in. Low speed gives you enough time to react and hit the brakes if something suddenly comes in front. Also, never hit the brakes too hard as it may cause the rear vehicle to hit you from behind making it even worse.
Keep Distance
It is highly advised to keep a distance from other vehicles. Drivers usually rely on the taillight of the car in front so it is risky to get too close as it can be dangerous if the front suddenly stops. It is better to not solely rely on the taillight as you may not get the car in front every time. Keep your distance from other cars and sides of the road to avoid hitting the road divider or footpaths. Be aware of the surroundings and be ready to make decisions at a moment’s notice.
Use Other Senses
Vision is limited in foggy weather so you need to rely on other senses. Pay attention to the sounds you hear. Turn off the music and roll down the windows if possible to hear the nearby sound to guess the distance from obstacles on the road. The engine sound of other vehicles sometimes saves you from a drastic collision. The sound also gives you an idea of how crowded the road is.
Use Wipers
Wipers are crucial in foggy and rainy weather. Always check them properly before heading out on your journey. The humidity of the fog can create a glare on your windscreen to further decrease the visibility making it harder to see ahead. It may not affect a lot but it surely enhances the overall vision. Check the rubber of the wipers and replace them to protect your screen from scratches.
Use Defroster
Every new car is equipped with a defroster to clear the glare from inside the car. This glare is formed because of the temperature difference on the outside and inside of the windscreen. Using this feature greatly amplifies visibility. If your car lacks this feature, direct your car’s air flow towards the windscreen and keep the thermostat in the middle. The vision may get completely blocked after a while if you don’t use a defroster. Some latest cars have a windows demisting feature, use it for fruitful results.
Use Mirrors and Warning Lights
As a driver, you might be used to checking mirrors while making turns. But in this case, you need to glance at them more frequently to keep track of the other vehicles as a precaution. Mirrors give you a wider perspective which is significant in such weather. You should also keep your hazard warning lights on as blinking lights can be more noticeable than steady ones.
Conclusion
No matter how experienced you are in driving or consider yourself an expert. Never overestimate your driving skills, especially under fog or rain. It can be dangerous for you as well as other drivers if you don’t take all the necessary precautions. It is always best to use your basic driver instincts as it plays a major role to circumvent any mishap. So for your reference Faster Rent a Car is a leading car rental company in Dubai, UAE. With a fleet of more than 150 Luxury and Sports cars, we take pride in providing the best car rental services.
