While driving, we obtain information about our surroundings primarily through our visual senses. However, if fog is present, it can severely restrict our visual input while driving a Quincy car rental. In addition to taking away what is normally visible, fog can distort what we can see. If it’s foggy out, all bets are off. It can become difficult to assess the speed and distance of the vehicles around you. If you can avoid driving your Quincy car rental in the fog, then that should always be your first option. In the event that driving in foggy conditions is unavoidable, here are some ways to help keep you safe.
The Causes of Fog
In order to better understand fog and how the effect it has on driving your Quincy car rental, it helps to understand how fog starts. Fog is caused by moisture in the air turning into fine vapour droplets. This happens when the temperature drops to the “dewpoint.”
What’s a “dewpoint”? It’s basically when the air cannot hold all of its water as vapour, so the water becomes liquid. Fog is no more than a cloud at ground level.
If It’s Foggy Out, Should I Turn My Lights On?
If you can see less than 100 yards in front of you, then you should turn your lights on. Many people believe that turning your lights on will help you see, but that’s not the case. Your lights won’t help your visibility, but they will certainly help others see your Quincy car rental. Using your regular daytime running lights won’t help. You’ll need to turn on your low beams.
It’s easy to think “the brighter my lights are, the more visible I’ll be.” However, it’s a bad idea to use your high beam headlights in the fog. They will reflect off the water vapour and decrease your visibility. Your low beams may be doing the same thing, but keep them on anyway. The benefits of being seen by other cars outweigh the glare that your low beams will give off.
Keep Your Eye on the Speedometer and Your Foot off the Gas Pedal
It’s counterintuitive and it’s a little frightening but people can unknowingly speed up in foggy conditions. This is the worst thing you can do. Fog creates an optical illusion that convinces the driver that they are driving slowly. Since you’re likely to be nervous while driving in the fog anyway, you’re more likely to be keenly watching the road and not your speedometer. Make a conscious effort to glance at the speed of your car and keep yourself at a reasonable speed.
Increase Your Following Distance
There is some merit in the common advice of keeping the car in front of you visible during the fog. There’s nothing to wake you up in the morning like having a car appear out of nowhere, forcing you to slam on the brakes. But many drivers have the habit of “bunching up” in foggy conditions, which can result in inadequate stopping time. Leave yourself plenty of space in which to stop if need be.
If You Need to Stop Your Quincy Car Rental…
Fog can get really thick – too thick to see through. If you find the conditions are beyond your comfort level, there is no shame in stopping until the fog lifts. If you are just pulling off to the side of the road, keep your safety in mind. Turn your lights off – if you leave them on, others may think you are driving and accidentally rear-end you. Keep your seatbelt on in case someone else goes to pull over and doesn’t see you.
At VERC Rentals, safety is our number one priority. If you have any questions prior to renting a Quincy car rental, do not hesitate to contact us.
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