Motorists should be braced for autumn fog and mist, as we reveal six tips to swerve this major seasonal driving hazard.
According to the astronomical calendar, which is based on the sun’s position relative to the Earth, Autumn officially begins in the UK this year on September 22.
Temperatures will start to tumble in the coming days as the end of summer signals the onset of cooler and increasingly damp conditions.
Mist and fog can often appear after rain, when warm water vapour in the air meets cold air close to the ground before condensing and forming a low-lying cloud.
And our experts here at Select Car Leasing say all drivers need to understand the risks associated with fog while making adjustments to their behaviour behind the wheel.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, explains: “Misty autumn mornings can look spectacular, particularly in rural areas where the fog clings to fields and lakes. But mist and fog can also be treacherous for drivers, as they’re hit with a sudden decrease in visibility that makes it harder to spot obstacles ahead. Motorists can easily be caught out at this time of year when the weather begins to change after a relatively warm summer, so everyone should be mindful of the dangers.”
Here Select Car Leasing reveals five tips for tackling autumn mist and fog while driving:
Get your lights right
If you encounter fog, make sure your dipped headlights are turned on. Don’t be tempted to use your high beams, though, as the light is often just reflected back at you, reducing visibility even further.
You also need to be careful when using your car’s fog lights. If the visibility is reduced to 100 metres - about the same length as a football pitch - turn them on. All cars have a rear fog light but not all vehicles have fog lights at the front.
But DON’T use your fog lights unless visibility is really poor, as they can dazzle other road users while also obscuring your own brake lights. You can actually face a fine of up to £50 for using your fog lights incorrectly.
Reduce your speed
If you hit a bank of fog or mist, check your mirrors and then reduce your speed when it’s safe to do so, because you want to increase the distance between you and the car in front so that you’ve got plenty of time to stop in case of an emergency.
Fog doesn’t just reduce visibility, it also messes with speed perception, making it even more dangerous to drivers. We typically judge speed by what’s going on in our peripheral vision - ie, driving past trees and buildings - so when that’s taken away, you might end up driving much faster than you actually realise.
Beware certain locations
Fog can be more prevalent in certain locations than others. Valleys and coastal regions can be particularly problematic, especially on the east coast of the UK where a cold fog and mist - known locally as ‘Haar’ or ‘Fret’ - can drift in from the North Sea and make it really tricky for motorists.
But fog can also be at its thickest in industrial areas where pollution particles cling to water droplets and make visibility even worse. When you’re behind the wheel, keep an eye on roadside signs that can warn you about reported fog up ahead.
It’s also worth remembering that fog might also render wild animals on the road invisible, with deer mating season beginning at the end of September and posing further problems.
Fog can make roads slippery
Most motorists understand that fog reduces visibility but many might not realise that fog and mist can actually make roads more slippery, too. It’s important that you increase your stopping distance while reducing your speed, particularly when you consider that roads are also more likely to be littered with leaves during the autumn months.
Now is the perfect time to make sure that your tyres are in good order. The minimum legal depth for tyre tread is 1.6mm, but if they’re anywhere close to that point get them replaced, for your own safety.
Wind your window down
Reduced visibility caused by fog can be a nightmare at road junctions when you might not be able to clearly see oncoming traffic.
The Highway Code suggests that you should stop and listen for traffic in such cases. Turn off your sound system, wind down your window, and listen carefully for the sound of approaching vehicles while making sure it’s safe to emerge. The Highway Code adds that you should NOT ‘hesitate in a position that puts you directly in the path of approaching vehicles’.
Don’t ignore the accident stats
The number of crashes on UK roads increases dramatically as we head into the autumn months. That’s according to official Department for Transport stats, which suggests that accidents increase by as much as 23% during autumn compared with the summer months. That increase isn’t just down to fog, but a whole host of other autumn driving hazards, from wet leaves on the road and sudden downpours to low lying sun and darker evenings.
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