Driving In Low Visibility

Driving in low visibility presents problems for drivers. You can also check out our blog, Driving Into the Sun.
Rain, fog, smoke, and blowing dust can all inhibit our ability to see ahead.
However, there are things we can do to handle these challenges. Here are a few tips.

Tips for Driving in Low Visibility

• • • • • Drive with your lights on low beam. High beans will reflect back off of precipitation, smoke or fog. This only serves to further impair visibility.
        • Slow down.
        • Keep a safe distance between the vehicles ahead of you.
        • Use your turn signals. Signal well in advance and brake early when approaching a stop
        • Reduce distractions. We should never drive distracted. This is particularly true when visibility is diminished.
        • Use wipers and defrosters. Keeping windows and mirrors clean is critical for maximum visibility. Windshield wipers should be replaced once a year.
        • Never, never, never stop on the road. This could result in a chain-reaction collision.
        • Watch for emergency vehicles, slow-moving and parked vehicles.
        • Stay in the right lane. Try not to pass or change lanes unnecessarily.

Remember, it is not only important to see, but also to be seen. Poor visibility can occur during both daytime and nighttime hours. Traffic deaths are three times greater at night than during the day, according to the National Safety Council, Aside from low visibility, another factor adding to the danger of night driving is fatigue. When we are drowsy our reaction decreases and our ability to concentrate dulls.

We discuss these issues in our online defensive driving course, approved by the state of New York. Taking a defensive driving course can make you a better, smarter, driver. Plus, it can save you significant dollars on your car insurance.

What’s important is that we behave in a safe manner. It not only protects us and our passengers, but it protects other people who use the road.