It’s a misty morning. Seven tips for those who now or will soon hit the road by car or motorcycle.
The KNMI reports locally dense fog. There are fog banks in many places in the country, sometimes causing visibility to be less than 200 meters. This can cause a lot of inconvenience to traffic.
Do you have to hit the road? With these tips you can do this as safely as possible.
1. Check your lights before departure
Theoretically you should check your lights before every car trip, but in practice you rarely do that. This time, take the time to do a light check. Without or insufficient light you are nowhere in the fog.
2. Use the right lighting
Of course, you have to turn on your low beam lights in fog. Suppress the urge to use high beams. It is reflected by the fog, making the fog bank even more like a wall. In addition, oncoming traffic is blinded by the bright light when passing.
The fog lamp also has a blinding effect if it is switched on too early. In fact, you can get a fine if you turn on the fog light when visibility is more than one hundred meters. Are you driving neatly with a distance of 5 seconds to the vehicle in front (see next tip) and you still cannot see its rear bumper? Then it’s time to turn on the fog lights.
3. Keep a greater distance from other cars than normal.
The rule of thumb in clear weather is at least 2 seconds, with fog allow an extra 3 seconds.
4. Stay on the right side of the road and follow the white stripes on the side if they are visible
This way you prevent yourself from suddenly driving on the wrong side of the road.
5. Don’t be fooled by condensation on your windshield or the visor of your helmet
The fog can cause condensation on car windows and fog up the visor of your helmet. This limits your vision even more, which may make you think it’s getting even foggier. Therefore, switch on the front and rear window heating in the car, if you have one. If necessary, open the window slightly to prevent the windows from misting up. Open the visor of your helmet slightly.
6. Turn off the radio
Those who cannot see well must use their other senses. In fog, it is extra important that you hear the traffic around you and also hear the emergency vehicles approaching. You are shocked when suddenly flashing lights emerge from the fog nearby, which you had not seen coming before.
7. Pay attention to the outdoor thermometer
Keep a close eye on your car’s exterior thermometer. When fog and cold combine, fog can freeze into sleet and become slippery.