How should you handle driving in heavy fog?

Driving in heavy fog requires particular caution due to the significantly reduced visibility conditions. The best approach is to drive at a reduced speed, which allows for more time to react to any obstacles or sudden changes in traffic ahead. Utilizing low beams is important because high beams can create a glare that reflects off the fog, actually worsening visibility. This combination of reduced speed and low beams helps to ensure safer navigation through the fog. Additionally, increasing the following distance is crucial, as it provides a greater buffer zone to react to the vehicle in front of you, especially since stopping distances can be affected by lack of visibility.

While pulling over until the fog clears is a safe option in extreme cases, it may not always be practical or necessary if visibility improves enough to continue, which is why maintaining control of speed and using appropriate lighting is vital. Using hazard lights can be tempting; however, they can confuse other drivers and are not typically recommended for normal driving in fog. Each of these points underscores the importance of adapting driving behavior to match the challenging conditions presented by heavy fog.