If you find yourself driving in the fog, it can be very unsettling. You may suddenly encounter fog that hadn’t been there earlier in your trip, which makes it very difficult to see the road around you.
In a situation like this, you may be tempted to stop driving. After all, if you can’t see the cars ahead of you, you could be at risk of causing a rear-end accident. You may also be worried about hitting pedestrians or cyclists who are trying to share the road with vehicles. But should you actually stop?
Pulling to the side of the road
As a general rule, it is not wise to stop in the fog. If you can’t see ahead of you, drivers behind you also cannot see your vehicle. Stopping in the travel lane creates a significant hazard and drastically increases the odds that you will be hit from behind by another car. You would be better off to keep driving slowly and carefully, perhaps turning on your hazard lights to increase visibility.
But there are times when the fog is so bad that you may feel you can’t drive safely. In that situation, be sure you pull all the way over to the side of the road. Get out of the travel lane entirely and wait on the shoulder or in a parking lot until the fog clears. This way, you keep yourself and others safe.
Have you been injured?
Unfortunately, other drivers may make mistakes in the fog and cause injuries. If this happens, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.