How to Drive in Fog

Even the most seasoned of drivers can struggle to drive in fog. Visibility is generally poor all around you, even in the daytime. Plus, you have to keep an eye out for cars, pedestrians, and road signs, while also making sure that your own car can be seen. This guide will talk you through the essentials of driving in fog, step-by-step.

By Gumtree Editorial Team

18 February 2021 8 min read

What should you do when driving in the fog?

Perhaps the most important aspect of driving safely in fog is giving your full attention to your car and your surroundings. If conditions get foggy, you should always:

Turn off your phone. You should also get rid of any other distractions, as you’ll need to keep your eyes glued to the road and you’ll need to be able to hear as much as possible.
Gradually slow down and drive at a low speed. If you drive as slowly as you reasonably can in the circumstances, you’ll have plenty of time to listen and look out for any potential hazards, and to react to anything unexpected.
Roll down your window. This will allow you to hear other cars more easily.
Drive with low beams, and turn on your fog lights. This will greatly increase your visibility to pedestrians and other vehicles on the road.

When should you use your fog lights?

Fog lights are designed to increase the visibility of your car to others. Rear fog lights are a legal requirement on all cars, and any imported vehicles will need to have them fitted before they can head out on UK roads. Front fog lights are an optional extra that’s often available on more expensive models.

Fog lights can be a great help to visibility in foggy conditions, but you can’t just switch them on and continue to drive as if it’s a clear day. You’ll have to pay close attention to the road and drive as carefully as possible to avoid any hazards. Moreover, using them at the wrong time can end up increasing the danger, as the bright light can dazzle drivers and pedestrians. So, make sure you only use them when it’s absolutely necessary.

Appropriate conditions for switching on your fog lights include:

Thick fog
Torrential rain
Snow

The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 prohibits the use of fog lights when it’s not necessary, and you could face a hefty fine if you go against these rules.
If you’re unsure when to use fog lights, it’s a good idea to consult the Highway Code. It officially states that: “You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves.” To give you an idea of how far this is, it’s roughly the length of a football pitch or half the distance between street lamps on UK roads.

How to use fog lights

Activating the fog lights on your car usually means finding a switch on your dashboard, which tends to be separate from the main light controls. There’s usually a separate switch for each set of fog lights.

Look for the fog light symbol, which will be printed on or next to the fog light button. On the majority of vehicles, this symbol is made up of a rounded lamp shape, accompanied by three wavy horizontal lines with a single vertical line crossing them. If the symbol points in the same direction as your headlights symbol, this indicates your front fog lights. The symbol pointing in the opposite direction is for your rear fog lights. They could also be colour coded – often amber for your rear fog lights and green for the front ones.

As well as fog lights, your car may also have LED daytime running lights, particularly if it’s a newer model. A law was introduced in 2011 that required all new cars to be fitted with them. These lights improve visibility in the daytime and have been proven to reduce accidents by around 6%. This life-saving tech usually activates and deactivates automatically, so make sure you regularly check that your daytime running lights are working during lower visibility conditions.

When should you NOT use your fog lights?

As we warned above, there are laws to stop drivers using fog lights when it’s not absolutely necessary. They can impede visibility for other drivers due to their brightness, and in particular, they can make your brake lights harder to see. You should definitely steer clear of using your fog lights the following conditions:

Light fog or mist. There is often a mist in the air, particularly in the morning, which may slightly reduce visibility compared to later in the day. Many drivers might be tempted to use fog lights in this situation, but it could be dangerous. The glare they create can actually make it even harder for other drivers to see.
Wet conditions. Although it’s sometimes necessary to turn on your fog lights when rain is so heavy that it impedes your view, it’s generally not recommended. Wet roads or windscreens can reflect the light from fog lights and increase their dazzle, meaning that the visibility of your car and surroundings to other drivers will decrease.
The dark. Fog lights should never be used to improve your own visibility in low-light conditions. They are unlikely to have an effect anyway, as their lamp housings don’t have the same kind of reflectors as your main beam headlights.

Learning how to drive in fog can be challenging, but it’s definitely something that gets a lot easier with experience. As you do it more, you’ll get a better feel for how to use your lights, as well as what to look and listen out for. And if you can remember everything from this guide, you can approach foggy conditions with confidence and peace of mind.

Keeping on top of maintenance of your car will make sure you’re able to drive safely in all weather conditions. Take a look at all you need to know about car services for useful advice.

View all Expert Advice