A 17 vehicle car accident took one life and left many injured on Highway 99 in Fresno due to dense fog January 11, according to the ABC 7 News website’s article written on January 12 by Vincent Camarillo. With fog levels dropping to dangerous visibility levels, drivers need to take extra precautions when driving, especially at night.
The National Weather Service website provides tips on how to stay safe while driving in the fog. Their emphasis is on using the right lights. “Never use your high-beam lights. Using high beam lights causes glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.”
Instead of high-beam lights, drivers should always use their low-beam headlights since this ensures that your tail lights will be on too. Tail lights allow drivers to make their car visible to the cars behind, making it safer for the both of you. If a car has fog lights, then drivers should use those instead of the low-beam head lights.
The National Weather Service website advises drivers to follow the lines on the road with your eyes in order to stay in your lane. Never focus on the headlines of the car ahead since that can be misleading in poor weather conditions.
Alexandra Torres Vega (12) is used to driving in the fog, but she still drives with extra precaution every time. “When the fog is too heavy and I cannot see ahead, I keep a further distance to the car in front of me and behind me in order to brake if necessary,” Torres stated.
The National Weather Service website reminds drivers to always pull over and wait for the fog to pass when the visibility is near zero. Even when the fog is not dense, it is still important to slow down for more control and more time to break.
“I would definitely recommend letting your defrosters heat up your windows for a while before driving in order to get rid of condensation,” Torres answers when asked for advice for new drivers.
Taking extra time if driving is necessary and travel on well-lit roads for extra guidance and help from other drivers if necessary.
