How to Drive Safely in Fog in Texas
August 15th, 2024
Texas is home to its own unique climate conditions and weather patterns, and drivers on Texas roadways need to know how to respond to those conditions. One type of weather that can pose a real challenge to Texas drivers is fog, especially dense fog.
Keep reading to learn more about driving in fog in Texas and to get tips about what to do in case of an emergency.
When Is Fog Common in Texas?
Before we get into how to drive in low visibility and heavy fog, it’s worth considering when these conditions occur so that you’re prepared to respond. There are two common types of fog in Texas: the first type of fog happens during the winter months and occurs when warm air reaches cool, wet snow. The second type of fog is common during spring and summer and happens after several days of rainfall when the moisture from the rain mixes with cool air.
In general, fog is most common during the morning hours and usually disappears with enough sunlight.
How to Drive in Fog
Driving in fog can be stressful, but knowing what to do can help you prevent accidents. If you find yourself driving in light to moderate fog, follow the driving tips below:
- Slow down
- Turn off cruise control
- Use fog lights or low-beam headlights
- Avoid using high-beam lights
- Use windshield wipers and your defroster
- Don’t text and drive
- Minimize other distractions
- Use the outside edge of the road and roadside reflectors as your guide
- Avoid drifting into the middle of the road
- Watch for brake lights and oncoming traffic
- Watch for animals, pedestrians, and other drivers
- Turn on your hazard lights if you pull over
It might feel instinctual to turn on your high-beam headlights when driving into fog, but the fact is that bright car lights can create glare in foggy conditions. Fog lamps or fog lights are specially designed to avoid glare, but they also don’t provide as much light. Rear fog lights can make you more visible to other drivers on the road.
Tips for Extremely Dense Fog
When driving in extremely dense fog, you can follow all of the same tips listed above. However, there’s one additional thing to keep in mind: try to avoid going out in these dangerous driving conditions altogether.
Safe driving is nearly impossible when visibility is poor enough, and you quickly lose the ability to see other vehicles. Keep yourself and other drivers on the road safe by avoiding driving in extremely dense fog. If you find yourself driving into very dense fog unexpectedly, pull off the road, turn on your hazards, and engage your emergency brake.
What to Do If You’ve Been in a Car Accident in Foggy Weather
Unfortunately, car accidents can happen even when we do everything in our power to avoid them. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in fog or some other type of inclement weather, follow the steps below to stay as safe as possible in these dangerous conditions:
- Stay in your car unless it is flooding or on fire.
- Call for help.
- If you can, move your car out of the way of traffic.
- Wait for help to arrive.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- If you are injured, ask someone for help with the following steps.
- Once emergency services arrive, exchange contact and insurance information with all other parties involved.
- Gather evidence including pictures and your own written account.
- Contact a capable Austin car accident lawyer.
Car Accident in the Fog? An Austin Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
There are many types of dangers that drivers face every day on Texas roadways, and drivers need to be aware both of what to do to prevent an accident and what to do if an accident does occur.
If you’ve been involved in an Austin car accident in the fog, you need help from an Austin car accident attorney to help you defend your rights to compensation. Don’t wait to get the help you need. Reach out to the experienced Austin car accident attorneys at Ramos James Law, PLLC, today for assistance.