Published on : 06 July 20202 min reading time

Technical and mechanical incidents are among the frequent causes of road accidents. In addition to these main causes, the weather also has an impact on drivers’ driving attitudes. Depending on the weather conditions, motorists must adapt their driving techniques to the situation in order to reduce possible collisions between vehicles and any other obstacles. In foggy weather, a driver’s driving attitude differs from normal driving. Collisions that occur in fog are often fatal because all obstacles are only visible at a very short distance. Therefore, any driver driving in this type of weather must adopt certain driving techniques to avoid fatal accidents.

Adopt defensive driving

Defensive driving is the principle when a driver takes to the road with a vehicle. In foggy conditions, this principle is reinforced because the fog reduces the angle of vision. Indeed, it is always advisable to drive at a moderate speed depending on the thickness of the fog. It is also important to respect the safety distance between vehicles, as failure to do so can lead to a collision between two cars following each other. In addition, overtaking is strongly discouraged to avoid head-on collisions and other obstacles hidden by fog.

Following driving instructions

The Highway Traffic Act sets out all the driving instructions that must be observed at all times. When driving in fog, in addition to the instructions set out in the Highway Code, the driver is advised to be informed in real time about the evolution of weather conditions. Following the instructions posted on the motorway signs also makes it easier to drive with reduced visibility. On a blurred road, it is strongly recommended to drive with the appropriate lights, especially the front and rear fog lights, while avoiding the high beam.

Anticipating possible driving incidents

In all situations, the driver must anticipate possible problems related to driving. Unexpected obstacles are one of the main causes of fatal accidents reported. In foggy conditions, it is always advisable to anticipate the sudden reduction in visibility that may result in an off-road excursion. All in all, staying calm allows the driver to avoid any type of obstacle and to make the right decision to avoid any form of fatal pile-up.