Roadways in sections of St. Andrew, Portland, St. Thomas, St. Ann, St. Catherine and St. Elizabeth are renowned for being thick with fog especially at early morning and during the colder months. Many rural roadways also become covered with fog after long bouts of rain. This can be a real hazard for road users, here are some tips to steer you through a foggy thoroughfare with poor visibility:

· If your vehicle is equipped with fog lamps, turn them on.

· Slow down before you enter a patch of fog. Keep an eye on your speedometer as fog creates a visual illusion of slow motion when you may actually be speeding.

· Drive at a speed where you are sure that you can stop within the distance that you can see.

· Turn on your low-beam headlamps whether it is day or night. High beams will reflect off the fog and can impede visibility even more by creating a ‘white wall’ effect.

· Use the left edge of the road or painted road markings as a guide.

· Watch out for slow-moving vehicles. Also use good judgement in distinguishing between parked, stopped and slow moving vehicles.

· Do not change lanes or pass other vehicles unless absolutely necessary. In fact, if you are behind another vehicle you can use its park lights as a guide.

· Travel with the driver’s window partially open. Listen for traffic.

· If you must pull off the road, signal first, then slowly and carefully pull off as far away from the road as possible. After pulling off turn on your hazard flashers.

 

Source: Sunday Herald -Adrian Nelson