Driving in fog tips & advice

PB's Weather Woes: Fog

It's the scenario we all hate: you've planned a long drive, only to wake up that morning, look out of the window, and the sight of the bad weather fills you with dread. At PB HQ, we want to take the fear out of driving in tricky conditions. This series of blog posts dedicated to driving in the elements will tackle everything from fog to floods, helping you to stay calm and prepared on the road.

This week, as autumn descends and temperatures begin to drop, we're taking a look at fog!
 

What is fog?

Fog occurs when water droplets become suspended in the air, and visibility is severly reduced. There's different types of fog, but most occur when warm air meets cool air. We're no meteorologists, so the Met Office do a much better job of explaining - find out more here.
 

How does fog affect my driving?

Those pesky clusters of water droplets can cause major problems for motorists, as visibility can be reduced to 200 metres, and in some cases, as little as 50 metres. As fog can appear suddenly, driving becomes very difficult, and in some cases it's almost impossible to see the car in front of you. Scary stuff!

Due to the amount of accidents that are caused by the reduced visibility, the Highway Code has written a whole section on how to drive in fog. 
 

PB HQ's tips for driving in fog

Check your lights before you set off

Probably the biggest and most important tip we can share with you is to check that your lights are in full working order before you start your journey. If you hit a patch of fog to find out that there's something wrong with your headlights, you're in deep trouble!

Before you set off, simply shine each of your lights in turn onto your garage door or a wall to check if they are in full working order. The headlights should also be pointing down slightly to avoid dazzling other drivers. If you're unsure whether your headlights are aligned correctly, take a look at our handy guide here.

Drive slower but at a steady pace

This may be an obvious point, but it is vital that you drive at an appropriate speed that you feel comfortable with, making sure to leave plenty of room for the car in front.

Be aware of other drivers

Motorists may be driving too fast, too close to others, or may not be using their lights. It's important that you keep a steady pace on the road, to give others plenty of time to react to your movements.

Use your lights correctly

We've all asked that question in the heat of the moment: when is the best time to put my fog lights on? Well, the Highway Code advises that your headlights should be on when you can't see more than 100 metres (328 feet) in front of you. The amount of light produced by your headlights should be sufficient in this visibility range. 

If you think you can't see 100 metres in front of you, you should switch on your front and rear fog lights. A good way to measure this is to take a quick look at the tail lights of the car in front. If you can't see them, you both should have your fog lights switched on. Don't forget to turn them off when visibility improves!
 

How can I keep my car prepared?

We have a wide range of products at PowerBulbs that help keep your car in great condition. If you're unsure which fitting you need for your fog bulbs, you can use our handy Bulb Finder. We have both styling and performance options - however, as a yellower beam cuts through fog more effectively than a white light, we would recommend possibly choosing a performance bulb over a styling bulb for your fog lights.

If you want your car to look stylish but keep you safe at the same time, you should check out OSRAM's range of LED fog lamps, which operate automatically and produce a crisp, white light.

Shop OSRAM LEDriving Fog Kits here.

It's always a good idea to check your headlight lenses, too. If they are dull, yellowed and scratched, it may be a good idea to invest in the Philips Headlight Restoration Kit. Not only will your lenses look shiny and new, your bulbs will also be able to shine through the lenses again, giving you more light on the road. 

Shop Headlight Restoration Kits here.