AA urges drivers to 'see and be seen' as dense fog threatens Monday morning journeys

• Met Office yellow weather warnings issued as dense fog affects large parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland
  
  
• Visibility could fall to 50 metres or less in places, with disruption possible during the morning commute
  
  
• Drivers urged to slow down, increase following distances and check their headlights are switched on
  
  
• Fog lights must be switched off when visibility improves
  
  
• "Fog can transform a familiar road in a matter of minutes" - Edmund King OBE, AA Charitable Trust

The AA is urging drivers to take extra care this morning (Monday 9 November) as dense fog affects large parts of the country, bringing potentially hazardous driving conditions and disruption to the morning commute.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for fog across much of England, parts of Wales and Northern Ireland, with visibility expected to fall to as little as 50 metres or less in some locations.

The main warning, which came into force at 6pm on Sunday, remains in place until 11am today. A separate warning covers Northern Ireland, where visibility could fall below 100 metres.

Fog is expected to gradually lift during the morning, although some patches may persist into the early afternoon, particularly across parts of central England and Wales.

Drivers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys, with reduced visibility potentially causing delays on roads and disruption to other transport services.

How should you drive safely in fog?

The AA is reminding motorists to reduce their speed, increase the distance between themselves and the vehicle ahead and make sure their lights are switched on.

Drivers should use dipped headlights and travel at a speed which allows them to stop safely within the distance they can see to be clear.

The normal two-second gap between vehicles should also be increased to at least three seconds in fog, and further where visibility is particularly poor.

Don't rely solely on automatic headlights, as some systems may not activate in foggy conditions. Daytime running lights can also leave the rear of a vehicle unlit, making it harder for following traffic to see.

Motorists should also be particularly alert for road workers, cyclists, pedestrians and others at the roadside who may be much harder to spot in poor visibility.

When should drivers use fog lights?

Drivers should take a few moments before setting off to familiarise themselves with their vehicle’s controls, particularly the front and rear fog light switches, heating and demisting settings. Knowing how to operate these without taking your eyes off the road is especially important when visibility is poor.

Make sure all windows are clear before starting your journey and remember to switch off fog lights when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users.

Fog lights should be used when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when drivers cannot see for more than 100 metres.

However, it is equally important that drivers remember to switch them off again when visibility improves.

Leaving fog lights switched on unnecessarily can dazzle other road users, while bright rear fog lights can make brake lights harder to distinguish.

Fog can also be patchy, particularly on rural roads and in low-lying areas, so drivers should be prepared to adjust their lighting as conditions change.

Take extra care at junctions in thick fog

Junctions can be particularly challenging when thick fog makes it difficult to see approaching traffic.

Drivers should slow right down, take extra time to look carefully and avoid pulling out until they are confident it is safe.

At a quiet junction in particularly thick fog, winding down a window can also help drivers listen for approaching vehicles they may not yet be able to see.

This should only be used as an additional precaution and never as a substitute for careful observation.

Fog or mist - what's the difference?

While the two terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference.

The Met Office defines fog as tiny water droplets suspended in the air which reduce visibility to less than 1,000 metres. Mist is less dense, with visibility remaining at 1,000 metres or more.

Whatever the technical definition, drivers should respond to the conditions they encounter rather than waiting for visibility to become particularly poor before adjusting their driving.

Edmund King OBE: 'Drive to what you can actually see ahead'

Edmund King OBE, Director of the AA Charitable Trust, said: "Fog can transform a familiar road in a matter of minutes, and with visibility potentially falling to just 50 metres in some places this morning, drivers need to be prepared to adapt their speed and leave more room between themselves and the vehicle ahead.

"One of the biggest mistakes is simply following the rear lights of the car in front. It can give you a false sense of security and means you may be travelling too close to react safely if that vehicle suddenly stops.

"Don't assume your automatic headlights have switched themselves on either. Take control, use dipped headlights and make sure you can both see and be seen.

"If visibility becomes seriously reduced, use your fog lights, but remember to switch them off again when conditions improve as they can dazzle other road users and make brake lights harder to distinguish.

"Ultimately, there's no prize for arriving a few minutes early. Give yourself extra time, slow down and drive to what you can actually see ahead."

 

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Q&A

When should drivers use fog lights?

Drivers should use fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced. The Highway Code gives a general example of seriously reduced visibility as being when drivers cannot see for more than 100 metres.

Fog lights help other road users see your vehicle in very poor visibility and should not automatically be switched on whenever there is mist or fog.

Do I have to switch my fog lights off when visibility improves?

Yes. The Highway Code states that drivers must switch fog lights off when visibility improves.

Front and rear fog lights are extremely bright and can dazzle other road users when they aren't needed. Rear fog lights can also make brake lights harder for following drivers to distinguish.

Fog can come and go quickly, particularly on rural roads and in low-lying areas, so drivers should actively manage their lights throughout their journey.

Should I use full beam headlights in fog?

Generally, no. Full beam can reflect off the water droplets in fog and make it harder to see. Drivers should use dipped headlights and, when visibility is seriously reduced, fog lights.

Can I rely on my automatic headlights in fog?

No. Drivers should check that their lights are actually switched on.

Automatic headlights generally respond to ambient light levels, and conditions can sometimes be bright enough for the system not to activate despite visibility being reduced by fog.

Daytime running lights should not be relied upon either, particularly as they may not illuminate the rear lights on some vehicles.

How much distance should I leave from the vehicle ahead in fog?

The AA recommends increasing the normal two-second following gap to at least three seconds in fog, and leaving even more room when visibility is particularly poor.

Drivers should also travel at a speed which allows them to stop safely within the distance they can see to be clear.

What should I do at a junction when visibility is very poor?

Slow right down and take extra time to look carefully in both directions before proceeding.

At a quiet junction in particularly thick fog, winding down a window can provide another useful cue by allowing drivers to listen for approaching traffic which may not yet be visible.

Listening should only supplement, rather than replace, careful visual observation.

What's the difference between fog and mist?

The Met Office defines fog as tiny water droplets suspended in the air which reduce visibility to less than 1,000 metres.

Mist is less dense, with visibility remaining at 1,000 metres or more.

What should drivers do before travelling when fog is forecast?

Drivers should check that all lights are working, clean their windows, mirrors and lights, make sure they know how to operate their fog lights and allow additional time for their journey.

They should also check the latest weather warnings and travel information before setting off.