Driving in foggy conditions can be anxiety-provoking. Each year, over 38,700 car accidents occur due to fog. In these accidents, roughly 600 people are killed and more than 16,300 injured annually.

Fog can reduce visibility and reaction time, altering the landscape of the road and turning familiar routes into treacherous terrain. You can lower your chance of getting into an accident by knowing how fog impacts driving and by following a few safety tips.

If you’re hurt in a fog-related crash due to another driver’s actions, speak with an attorney from Fieger Law. We can help you determine liability and pursue compensation for your injuries.

Understanding the Dangers of Driving in Fog

Driving in fog is dangerous, causing reduced visibility and changes in road conditions. When heading out in foggy conditions in Michigan, be aware of the following:

  • Reduced visibility: Fog can cloak the roadway, limiting your visual field. A dense fog is any that reduces your vision to a quarter of a mile or less. This means essential cues like other vehicles, pedestrians, and road signs might only become visible at the last moment.
  • Impact on speed judgment: In foggy conditions, it’s difficult to accurately gauge how fast other cars are going. This makes driving more risky, especially when following behind another vehicle.
  • Dazzling headlights: High-beam headlights are intended for low-visibility conditions. But if you use them in fog, the light can reflect off the water droplets, creating a glare that makes it hard for you, or other drivers, to see.
  • Reduced reaction time: In foggy conditions, your reaction time could increase by as much 23%, making a rear-end accident more likely, especially if you are tailgating.
  • Wet and slippery roads: Fog usually means increased moisture on the road. Fog forms when cooling air can’t hold its moisture, creating ground-level clouds. These water droplets in the air lead to wet and slippery roads, reducing tire traction and creating a dangerous situation for braking or navigating turns.

If you sustain injuries in a fog-related accident involving another driver, consult with an experienced attorney from Fieger Law. We can assess your damages and help you receive no-fault benefits or a settlement from the at-fault party’s insurance.

Tips for Driving in Fog

When driving in foggy conditions, it’s crucial to exercise caution. By adopting the right safety measures, you can minimize the dangers associated with foggy roads.

  • Prepare your vehicle: Prepare your vehicle for fog by ensuring your lights are clean and functional. Check your brakes, tires, and wipers, and consider adding all-weather tires for better traction and heavy-duty wipers for increased visibility.
  • Reduce your speed: When it’s foggy, reduce your speed to give yourself more time to react to unexpected obstacles or shifts in road conditions. You should slow your speed enough so you can stop within the distance that you can see without slamming on the brakes.
  • Increase your following distance: When driving in inclement weather, especially fog, double your typical following distance. This helps create more time to react to vehicles or obstacles in front of you or road conditions like ice or condensation.
  • Use low-beam headlights: When driving in fog, avoid turning on your high beams. Instead, use low-beam headlights to avoid glare.
  • Turn on fog lights if your vehicle has them: Fog lights are usually located below the headlights and shine light directly on the road in front of you to improve short-distance visibility for lane markers. They should be used in combination with your low-beams, rather than in place of them.
  • Use hazard lights: In thick fog with almost no visibility, activate your hazard lights to signal other drivers. Then, maneuver your way to a secure spot, like a business parking lot, where you can wait for conditions to improve.
  • Stay in the right lane when possible: Stick to the right lane in foggy conditions. By staying in the right lane, you’ll minimize the need for lane changes and create a buffer from oncoming traffic. 
  • Use road markings and reflective signs as a guide: Actively use road lines and reflective signs to guide you through fog. Keep your eyes on painted lane markers to ensure you’re staying in your lane and rely on the glow from reflective signs to navigate turns and stops more confidently.

Although preparation can help minimize the risk of accidents in severe weather, another driver’s careless actions can result in a dangerous collision. If you are involved in a fog-related crash, our Michigan car accident lawyers at Fieger Law can protect your rights and help you receive compensation.

Get Skilled Legal Representation After a Foggy Weather Crash

Suffering injuries in a fog-related car accident can be physically and financially draining. If you’re burdened with medical bills due to a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, you have a right to compensation.

Our skilled attorneys at Fieger Law can review the circumstances of your crash, establish the other driver’s liability, and initiate a claim with their insurance.

With a strong track record of winning millions for victims of vehicle accidents across Michigan and the U.S., we can provide representation for your case. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.