Toof fast , too close, too foggy

Tim HillerbyMorgan
September 14, 2009

Tim HillerbyMorgan
http://www.driversedcompany.com/studentdriver

The way people drive in fog gets them killed. Perhaps it is better to say that the way that people drive in fog kills other people. It does not have to be like this.

Fog is a lot of damp air near thhe ground. It is, in effect, a cloud on the ground. The ground absorbs heat during the day. It releases the heat at night. This forms the dampness in the air. If there are enough water droplets in the air, a fog forms. You are most likely to find fog in valleys and near rivers.

The problem with fog is that it reduces the distance that you can see. I have experienced fog where I could only see the end of the car. I slowed right down and pulled off the road as soon as I could.

The golden rule of a good driver is "I will be able to stop safely in the distance that I can see to be clear. This is the key to your fog routine. The fog routine works on all types of roads.

It will take you longer to get to work or school in the fog. You must reduce your speed if you are to keep a safe gap. Driving in fog takes longer, so leave earlier.

Check that your lights and screens are ok before you leave home. Fog reduces the distance that you can see. You need to make your car more visible to other drivers.

You need to make sure that you can see. That is why you need clean windscreens in fog. It is also, why you must keep your screens demisted. You car will be warm, the air outside will be cold. Your windscreens will mist up.

As you approach the fog, turn on your headlights. Turn them onto dipped beam - side lights are neither use nor ornament. Do not turn your lights onto main beam. The dampness in the air will create a whiteout in front of your car.

If the distance you can see drops to about 110 yards, you must turn on your fog lights. 110 yards is about the length of a soccer pitch. Using your rear and front fog lights will make your car more visible. You must turn the fog lights off as soon as you can. Rear fog lights can blind other road users.

Slow down and increase the distance between you and the car in front. If you can see their lights then you are too close. You are in great danger if you can clearly make out the car in front.

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The Drivers Ed Company aims to improve the road safety in america and the UK.

Tim Hillerby - Morgan, CEO and chief instructor, recently published The Student Driver Manual. The manual can be found at http://www.driversedcompany.com/studentdriver . Tim is a UK government approved driving instructor. He has driven in the police and in the customs service.