The Met Office has advised UK motorists not to use full beam headlights in foggy conditions forecast this week, warning that the light reflects back and reduces visibility further.
Fog is forecast across parts of the UK, with "patchy fog" expected on Thursday, "areas of mist and fog" on Friday, and "overnight fog patches" over the weekend between Saturday and Monday. The Met Office describes fog as a cloud at ground level that reduces visibility to less than 1000 metres. Dense fog, when visibility falls below 100 metres, can cause severe travel disruption.
Met Office advice for foggy driving
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Met Office wrote: "Do not use full beam lights, as the fog reflects the light back, reducing visibility further."
The Met Office also reminded motorists to know how to operate their front and rear fog lights, to follow the "two-second rule" or increase the gap to four seconds, and to keep the heater on the windscreen de-misting setting with all vents open. It added: "If visibility is very limited, wind down your windows at junctions and crossroads to allow you to listen out for approaching traffic."
Halloween forecast
Earlier this week, the Met Office said Halloween will bring "misty and murky" conditions. Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin said: "Saturday, Halloween, this weather front may provide some outbreaks of rain across northern Britain for Saturday night.
"Meanwhile the high pressure still controlling things across the south. Potential for things to be a bit misty and murky for Halloween, which might add to the atmosphere."
Road users are advised to avoid travel if possible, drive slowly with dipped headlights, and use fog lights only while visibility is poor, turning them off when conditions improve.
