Motorists across the UK are being urged to take extra care on the roads as autumn fog returns, bringing potentially hazardous conditions to the morning commute. The Met Office has warned that mist and fog will become "important features as the week progresses," with overnight fog expected over the coming days as weather conditions turn calmer and more settled.
Fog significantly reduces visibility, making it considerably harder for drivers to accurately gauge their speed, judge the distance to the vehicle ahead, or establish whether another car is moving or stationary. In response, road safety experts are highlighting a key change in driving behaviour that motorists must adopt to stay safe.
From two to three seconds
Under normal, dry conditions, the standard recommendation is to keep a two-second gap between yourself and the car in front. However, in foggy weather, the AA advises drivers to extend that gap to a minimum of three seconds.
Motorists are being encouraged to reduce their speed and travel only as fast as allows them to stop safely within the distance they can clearly see ahead. Edmund King OBE, Director of the AA Charitable Trust, warned drivers against falling into common traps in murky conditions.
He said: "Fog can transform a familiar road in a matter of minutes, so drivers need to be prepared to adapt their speed and leave more room between themselves and the vehicle ahead. One of the biggest mistakes is simply following the rear lights of the car in front. It can give you a false sense of security and means you may be travelling too close to react safely if that vehicle suddenly stops."
Don't rely on automatic lights
Motorists are also being urged to avoid placing complete trust in modern vehicle technology when visibility drops. The AA cautions drivers against depending solely on automatic headlights, as many vehicle sensor systems fail to switch on during foggy daytime conditions.
Relying on daytime running lights is equally risky, as they frequently leave the rear of the vehicle completely unlit. Instead, drivers should take manual control and switch on their dipped headlights. Motorists must also remain particularly vigilant for road workers and roadside recovery personnel, who become significantly harder to spot when visibility deteriorates.
Mr King said: "Don't assume your automatic headlights have switched themselves on either. Take control, use dipped headlights and make sure you can both see and be seen."
When to use fog lights
While fog lights are essential when visibility is severely reduced, knowing when to switch them off is just as crucial. Keeping fog lights on once conditions improve can blind oncoming drivers. Bright rear fog lights can also mask your brake lights, making it considerably harder for drivers behind you to realise when you are decelerating.
As autumn fog tends to be sporadic, drivers should be prepared to switch their fog lights on and off as conditions change throughout their journey. Mr King explained: "If visibility becomes seriously reduced, use your fog lights, but remember to switch them off again when conditions improve as they can dazzle other road users and obscure brake lights."
