What to do in case of fog?

Distance

Keeping distance is very important. Whether it is foggy or not, it is always wise to stay at an appropriate distance from your car in front so that you always have time to react. In fog, the advice is to double your distance from your predecessor and halve your speed. This gives you much more time to act on unexpected situations. In fog, you see much less than normal and thus you can see much less far ahead and detect unexpected situations.

Automatic lighting

Many cars have automatic lighting. This means the lights turn on automatically when it gets dark/dark. This is nice and easy and so many drivers use this option. This often works well, even in tunnels and when driving between trees. With fog, however, this is a different story. The sensor that measures how dark it is and whether to turn on the lights does not recognize fog very well. So in fog, it is very wise to turn on the low beam manually.

When are you allowed to use your fog lights?

You are not allowed to use fog lights. This is only allowed in very dense fog, when you have less than 50 meters of visibility. By the way, this refers to the fog light at the rear of the car. In order for the front fog light to be allowed, there must be less than 200 meters of visibility. It is then referred to as “dense fog. Less than 50 meters of visibility is referred to as “very dense fog.

Fog rules, plus rules other lighting

That’s how you use your car’s lights the right way. Source: central government.

Dim light

During the day in poor visibility, you may use the dipped beam. At night, low beam headlights are mandatory. The low beam lights do not have to be on when the fog lights are on. Are the low beam and fog lights on the front of the car on at the same time? Then there is a chance that the reflection of your own low beam light will blind you.

Large light

You may use high beam in the dark if you do not encounter an oncoming vehicle. Even if you are right behind another vehicle, high beams are prohibited. You may use high beams inside and outside built-up areas.

Daytime running lights

Some cars have special daytime running lights. These make the car more visible during the day. You may use these lights during the day. Since 2011, all newly marketed car types in Europe must have daytime running lights.

Fog light

You should use the front fog light only when fog, snowfall or rain seriously impede visibility. You may use the rear fog light only in fog or snowfall that makes visibility less than 50 meters. In heavy rain, do not use the rear fog light. If the fog lights are on, the low beam lights do not need to be on.

Tail lights

The tail lights must always be on together with high beam, low beam, city light or fog light.

License plate light

The lights belonging to the rear license plate must always be on together with high beam, low beam, city light or fog light.

Combination city light and taillight

Are you on the roadway outside the built-up area? Or on parking lanes, parking bays, emergency lanes and refuge areas along highways and expressways? If so, you must use city lights and taillights in the dark. This should also be done during the day when visibility is poor.

Third brake light

Was your car put into service after Sept. 30, 2001? Then your car must have a third red brake light.

Wide beams and spotlights

Wide beams and far beams are terms not found in road traffic law. Formally, you may not use these lights.