November evenings (especially during rush hour) are the most dangerous months for pedestrians, and the worst accident rate increases during the foggy weather. Experts have found out how road users can adapt their behavior on the road to changing conditions so as not to get into an accident. Especially these tips will be helpful in new weather condition, when you are abroad. For example in the USA, when you are travelling, using the services of hertz rent car Orlando.
Tips for drivers in foggy weather:
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Do not forget about the fate signal
If you need to stop, it is better to choose the gas station, as you can relax there and have a meal (there is usually a cafe in the modern gas stations). However, it can happen that the driver is forced to stop the car (due to a technical malfunction) in a place where, according to the traffic regulations, stopping and parking are prohibited. In this case, the driver is obliged to turn on the emergency light alarm, and if it is faulty or absent, put an emergency stop sign or a flashing red light at a distance of 26-30 m behind the car. Remember that it is prohibited to stop behind a closed corner!
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Stop with the help of the engine
In the foggy weather, it is recommended to stop with the help of short strokes. In order to make it, you need to press the pedal hard and release it several times until the car stops completely, and slow it down by smooth and light pressing the pedal.
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Keep to the safe speed limits
Experienced drivers, in order to find out their safe speed limits, hit the brakes sharply on a safe section of the road (making sure that there is no one around) – if, as a result of the “test”, the stopping distance is much less than the visibility distance, then the speed is selected correctly. However, we recommend keeping at least three times the distance to a vehicle in front on a slippery surface compared to a road with an acceptable surface. In a traffic stream, when one car moves behind another with a limited distance, the driver is deprived of the opportunity to choose the speed of movement, since it depends on the speed regime of the leading car and the entire stream of cars. This way, the attempts to overtake or get ahead of the vehicles can lead to an emergency. Keep in mind that you can only stay in the flow of traffic if the leader moves at a safe speed.
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Wipe the glass from the inside
The easiest way to get rid of fogging of the windshield and front side windows is to direct a strong stream of warm air onto the glass, and turn the air intake switch to the “street” position. However, if you have a new car equipped with a cabin filter, and the filter has not been changed for 20-25 thousand km, this measure may not help – it needs to be replaced urgently. In addition, a good prophylactic against this problem is the treatment of glasses from the inside with special liquid.
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Check the lamps
The failure of a passing light bulb can be a big problem if it happens far from the home on the highway, and in the evening, during rain or thick fog. If you have a spare kit with you, you can replace the bulb yourself. Moreover, we remind you that, according to the traffic regulations, it is forbidden to operate a car with an inoperative left headlight if there are no spare parts.
Anti-fogging technical means
Since it is not always clear for the driver in the fog which external lighting devices are turned on, you need to figure out in advance how to properly control the front and rear fog lights. The fact is that not all cars have lighting controls that are intuitive, and when they suddenly meet the fog zone, the headlights and taillights must be turned on immediately.
The fog light and lamp switches must be dealt with in advance so as not to interfere with their activation when entering the fog. In suburban trips in dense fog, the GPS-navigator will provide some help, the screen of which will prompt the general direction of movement, upcoming turns and traffic intersections.
However, the main advice on how to drive in the fog correctly will be this: if there is no confidence in safe movement, you need to stop in a safe place and wait out the bad weather. If there is no way to find a safe place, you need to pull as far as possible to the side of the road and do not turn off the lights and emergency lights.
