When to turn on the fog lights?
Fog often limits visibility to 100 meters, and experts prescribe that in such cases the speed should be reduced to 60 km / h (outside the city). However, many drivers feel insecure while driving and react differently. While some slow down, others continue to move at their usual speed in the fog.
The reaction of drivers is as varied as opinions about when and which lights should be used when driving in fog. When, for example, can I turn on the front and rear fog lights and do daytime running lights help? TÜV SÜD experts in Germany provide useful tips on how to safely travel on roads in low visibility conditions.
Causes of Accidents
Often the causes of chain accidents in fog are the same: too small a distance, too high a speed, overestimation of abilities, improper use of lights. Such accidents occur not only on highways, but also on intercity roads, even in urban environments.
Most often, mists form near rivers and ponds, as well as in lowlands. Drivers should keep in mind the possibility of a sharp change in weather conditions when driving in such places.
Safety measures
Firstly, in the case of limited visibility, it is necessary to observe a greater distance to other cars on the road, the speed should smoothly change, and fog lights and, if necessary, the rear fog lamp should also turn on. Under no circumstances should the brakes be used abruptly, as this may cause an accident, as the machine following from behind may not react so sharply.
In accordance with the requirements of the Law on Road Traffic, the rear fog lamp can be switched on with visibility below 50 meters. In such cases, the speed should also be reduced to 50 km / h. The ban on the use of rear fog lamps for visibility above 50 meters is not accidental.
It glows 30 times brighter than the rear brake lights, and in clear weather blinds drivers who are turned back. Pegs on the side of the road (where they exist), located at a distance of 50 m from each other, serve as a guide when moving in fog.
Using front lights
The front fog lamps can be turned on earlier and in less severe weather conditions - auxiliary fog lamps can only be used when visibility is severely restricted due to fog, snow, rain or other similar conditions.
These lights cannot be used alone. Fog lights do not shine far. Their range is right next to the car and on the sides. They help in situations where visibility is limited, but in clear weather they are of no use.
In the case of fog, snow or rain, dipped beam is usually turned on - this improves visibility not only for you, but also for other drivers on the road. In these cases, daytime running lights are not enough since the rear direction indicators are not included.
The use of highly directed rays (high beams) in fog is in most cases not only useless, but also harmful, because small drops of water in the fog reflect directional light. This further reduces visibility and makes navigation more difficult for the driver. When driving during fog, a thin film forms on the windshield, which further complicates visibility. In such cases, wipers should be turned on periodically.
Questions and answers:
Can you drive during the day with fog lights? Fog lights are allowed to be used only in poor visibility conditions and only with low or high beam.
Can fog lights be used as navigation lights? These headlights are only intended for poor visibility conditions (fog, heavy rain or snow). In the daytime, they can be used as DRLs.
When can you use fog lights? 1) In conditions of poor visibility together with high or low beam. 2) In the dark on unlit sections of the road, together with the dipped / main beam. 3) Instead of DRL during daylight hours.
When should you not use fog lights? You cannot use them in the dark, as the main light, since the foglights have increased brightness, and under normal conditions they can blind oncoming drivers.
