Drive Safely in Fog: 10 Essential Tips To Know

Navigate low-visibility conditions with confidence using these expert fog-driving tips.

Fog may look beautiful as it hugs the landscape and softens the morning sun, but for drivers, it’s one of the most dangerous weather conditions on the road. According to the National Weather Service, fog significantly reduces visibility, alters depth perception, and frequently causes chain-reaction crashes. In fact, between 2007 and 2016, fog was involved in over 25,000 vehicle crashes annually in the United States, with hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries each year.

Safely navigating foggy roads requires more than just caution; it demands specific skills and an understanding of how your vehicle and the road interact under compromised visibility.

Whether you’re facing an early morning commute shrouded in mist or a sudden, thick fog bank at night, these ten safety tips, drawn from leading road safety experts, will help you drive with confidence and keep you—and everyone else on the road—safe.

What makes fog so dangerous for drivers?

Fog isn’t just another form of precipitation—it’s a thick cloud of water droplets circulating at ground level, drastically cutting down your ability to see what’s ahead. Often, drivers underestimate how little they can see; fog “closes in” the world to a few car lengths or less, concealing hazards like stopped vehicles, pedestrians, or curves until it’s almost too late to react.

To make matters worse, fog warps your ability to judge speed and distance accurately. The world seems to move slower, leading some drivers to unconsciously speed up or get too close to the car in front of them. Sometimes, high-beam headlights reflect off the fog, causing an intense glare that makes visibility even worse. That’s why specialized driving strategies are essential.

10 safety tips for driving in the fog

Here are the top safety tips straight from road safety experts.

1. Slow down—far more than you think you need to

Your most important defense against fog’s dangers is reducing your speed. Even if you feel you’re “crawling,” remember that your reaction time is your lifeline. Driving slowly allows more time to react if a vehicle, animal, or object suddenly appears in the fog.

Experts recommend driving at a speed that matches your visibility window—if you can only see 100 feet ahead, ensure you can stop safely within that distance. Consider that stopping distances increase on wet or slick roads, which often accompany foggy conditions.

If you’re impeding traffic by driving unusually slowly, try to move to the side and leave space for others to overtake. It’s your responsibility to keep yourself and others safe, even if other drivers are impatient.

2. Use low-beam headlights or dedicated fog lights

A common myth is that your car’s high beams will “help cut through the fog.” In reality, high beams bounce off the tiny water droplets in fog, creating a bright wall of glare that can further impair your vision. Instead, always use low-beam headlights, which project their beam downward and are less likely to reflect light back at your eyes.

Many vehicles also have fog lights set lower to the ground; they’re designed to emit a wide, low beam that hugs the road and helps illuminate lane markings. If your vehicle has fog lights, turn them on together with your low beams.

Bonus Tip: Make sure your headlights, taillights, and fog lamps are clean and working properly before heading into foggy areas.

3. Increase following distance

Tailgating is risky even in clear conditions and downright hazardous when driving in fog. Experts recommend that you increase your usual following distance by at least twice.

More space gives you extra time to identify hazards and react safely if the vehicle in front of you must suddenly brake. It also ensures you won’t get caught in a chain-reaction pileup if something goes wrong ahead.

Consider applying the “four-second rule” when conditions allow or even extend it in thicker fog.

Here’s how it works:

• Pick a fixed object on the road ahead (like a sign or tree).
• When the vehicle in front of you passes that object, start counting: “one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, one thousand four.”
• If you pass the same object before you finish counting, you’re following too closely—increase your distance.

4. Use road edge markings as visual references

Dense fog can virtually erase the world around your vehicle, and headlights from oncoming cars or passing vehicles can add to the confusion. To stay oriented, focus your gaze on the solid white “fog line” or right edge of your lane. This helps keep your bearings and prevents you from drifting into other lanes or the oncoming path.

5. Avoid stopping on the road unless absolutely necessary

If you’re overwhelmed by poor visibility or encounter a hazard, your instinct may be to stop where you are. But this is extremely dangerous in fog: vehicles behind you are likely to be following your taillights, and stopping on the road—even the shoulder—can lead to rear-end collisions.

If you must stop, try to exit the roadway completely, ideally into a parking area, driveway, or rest stop. Only stop on the shoulder if there’s no alternative, and move as far off the pavement as possible.

6. Use hazard lights only when stopped, never while driving

It’s a common mistake to turn on hazard lights (“flashers”) while driving in fog or heavy rain, thinking it will make your vehicle more visible. In reality, this creates confusion. Other drivers may not know if you’re stopped, turning, or experiencing an emergency.

Only use your hazard lights when your vehicle is stopped and out of the flow of traffic, such as on the shoulder or in an emergency lane. This signals to others that your vehicle is not moving.

If you need to pull over:

• Turn on your hazard lights.
• Keep your foot on the brake.
• Stay buckled in until it’s safe to re-enter traffic.

Hazard lights are a signal that you’re stationary, not a tool for driving visibility.

7. Eliminate distractions—full attention on the road

Driving while distracted is always dangerous, but in fog, even a brief lapse in attention can have serious consequences. Texting, adjusting the radio, or fiddling with navigation systems can be deadly, since hazards may appear suddenly and you have less time to react.

Put your phone away, pre-set your climate and radio controls, and ask passengers to stay quiet while you focus. If you use navigation aids, set them up before driving or pull over safely to make adjustments.

8. Use windshield wipers and defrosters

Fog often leaves a film of moisture on your windshield, compounding visibility problems. Keep your windshield as clear as possible by running your wipers even in light fog. Use your defrosters (front and rear) or your car’s air conditioning to prevent interior glass from fogging up.

Check your wipers regularly; smearing or skipping wipers can worsen poor visibility. If your windows fog from the inside, crack the windows slightly or adjust the heat/airflow to balance temperature and humidity.

9. Listen for traffic

When visibility is quite limited, don’t hesitate to roll down your window and listen for other vehicles. Sound travels farther than sight in fog, and an approaching engine or blaring horn can provide early warning of traffic you can’t yet see.

This is particularly useful in rural or poorly lit areas where you may not have the benefit of streetlights or other vehicles’ lights. If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and wait a moment longer before pulling out.

10. If visibility drops to near-zero, pull over safely

There may be times when the fog is simply too dense to proceed safely. If you need to stop, do so gradually. Signal, slow down, and move completely off the road if possible. Once stopped, keep your seatbelt on, engage your parking brake, and wait until the fog thins or conditions improve.

Turn off all lights except your hazard flashers to avoid misleading other drivers who may follow your lights thinking you’re still moving. Remain in your car—standing outside is extremely risky since you might not be visible to approaching motorists.

Bonus tips for foggy driving

1. Prepare your vehicle

Before venturing into fog-prone areas, ensure your vehicle is ready. Check your lights, brakes, tires, and windshield wipers. Keep the gas tank at least half full to avoid running out of fuel if you’re delayed.

2. Delay or reroute trips

If you know thick fog is forecast, the safest choice may be to delay your journey until conditions improve. Use weather and traffic apps to check for dense fog advisories and alternate safe routes.

3. Practice defensive driving year-round

Fog isn’t predictable—it can roll in quickly and transform a clear day into a hazardous one. Build safe habits now: always allow more space on the road, keep your lights and windows clean, and reduce distractions. You’ll be ready if and when fog descends.

Why preparation and smart tools matter

Emergencies don’t care about convenience—they can happen any time. That’s why it’s vital not just to practice safe driving habits, but also to be equipped with up-to-date information about your vehicle and its driving conditions.

Imagine if you had a digital dashboard for almost all your car ownership needs to learn and manage all there is about car maintenance. A platform where you could access regularly updated vehicle history reports, compare new or used vehicles, shop for the best auto insurance rates, and get fast market value estimates. That’s what Bumper can provide.

Drive smarter and safer with Bumper

Whether you’re trying to learn more about the technical aspects of your vehicle, shopping for a new one, comparing auto insurance policies, or looking to sell an existing vehicle, Bumper streamlines the complicated, so you can focus on what matters: enjoying the ride and staying safe.

With Bumper, you can get:

• Safety tools: Get alerts about safety recalls, accident* and salvage records, title issues, and more, so nothing catches you off guard.
• Maintenance reminders: Get convenient vehicle maintenance reminders so you’re always prepared for emergencies.
• Regularly updated vehicle history reports: Know more about a car’s story before you buy.
• Accurate, instant market value appraisals: Avoid overpaying or underselling.
• Side-by-side vehicle comparisons: Find the safest, most cost-effective ride for your needs.
• Auto insurance shopping tools: Compare rates and coverage in minutes.

From preparing your car to having reliable vehicle history reports at your fingertips, Bumper empowers you to make every trip, transaction, and ownership decision with confidence.

Ready to drive smarter?

Sign up for Bumper today—your go-to for buying, selling, and owning a vehicle. Navigate your car ownership journey as confidently as you navigate foggy roads: fully informed and always in control.

*Bumper reports are based on data available and may not include historical accident records in all states.