Don’t Get Bogged in The Fog, Low Visibility Driving Tips from ODOT

By Garrett Christensen on Monday, September 25th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

OREGON — The air is getting crisp, and the clouds are getting low, dangerously so. It’s officially fall, which means it’s time for wind, rain, and unfortunately fog. Whether taking a local backroad or cruising the highway far from home, low visibility conditions can turn even the most familiar route into a dangerous environment. No matter how confident a driver is in themselves or their vehicle, (or how much of a hurry they’re in) it’s their responsibility to adapt their driving style (and speed) to match conditions. For those that need a refresher, ODOT offers the following advice on their winter travel tips page:

For driving in low visibility conditions generally:

Slow down. Every year, “driving too fast for conditions” shows up in the top five most common reasons for crashes.
Use your low beams. High beams will disperse in thick fog or snow, making visibility worse for you and other drivers.
Turn on your rear fog lamps, if your vehicle is equipped. They greatly aid visibility for drivers approaching from the rear.
If you suddenly encounter a severe loss of visibility, pull off the pavement as far as possible. Stop, turn off your lights, set the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake to be sure the taillights are not illuminated. Turn on your emergency flashers.
If you can’t pull off the roadway, slow down, turn on your low beam headlights and sound the horn occasionally. Use the white fog line or roadside reflectors if necessary to help guide you.
Never stop in the travel lanes.

For specifically driving in foggy conditions:

Slow down and disengage your cruise control.
Use your low beams; high beams will reflect back thick fog, making visibility worse for you and other drivers.
Keep the view clear. Avoid fogged windows by regularly using the defroster and windshield wipers. The air conditioning setting will help keep moisture from building up inside.
Increase following distance to ensure enough time to stop safely.
Use the right edge of the road, white fog line or roadside reflectors as a guide. Do not change lanes or pass other vehicles unless necessary.
If you pull off the road, pull over as far as possible, turn off your headlights and turn on your hazard lights.

Keep in mind that low visibility conditions are also not exclusive to nighttime driving. Alttitude or just the right weather patterns can lead to disorienting fog and haze during the day, as was the case during the recent multi-vehicle crash along I-84 near Milepost 227. Drivers should always be prepared to slow down significantly and even pull off the side of the road for the sake of safety if conditions don’t improve. While no one wants to get stranded, staying put may sometimes be the best option. If fog reduces visibility to 1/8 of a mile or less in a large enough area, the national weather service may issue a Dense Fog Advisory.

For more on low visibility and winter driving tips, visit https://www.oregon.gov/odot/pages/winter-driving.aspx