Few will argue that the fog is dangerous. Significantly decreased visibility. The fog also distorts the perception of the speed the vehicle is moving. Drivers can hardly compare the speed of the moving vehicle with the surrounding objects, which they can see in a vague way and, moreover, only in unclear contours. Subconsciously, they rate their speed as lower than they really are. The distance from the surrounding objects is considered to be larger than the reality. If they see a standing vehicle in front of them, they often find it moving in the first moments. Many drivers do not realize that fog mists on the road surface condense . This carries an extension of the braking distance. If the driver drives inappropriately quickly, it is not enough to stop the obstacle and hit it at high speed. Accidents resulting in fogs therefore have worse consequences.
This is also confirmed by traffic accident statistics. Last year, the Czech Police investigated 836 traffic accidents that occurred in the mist. 9 people were killed, 25 were injured heavily and 312 were lightly injured. The likelihood that the fog collision would be fatal was twice as high as the average traffic accident.
The fog will not go that fast. It is worthwhile to count on, and therefore set out on a journey with sufficient time reserve. And if it is not enough, you have to make up for it with a delay. Above all, it is good to remember in the thick of the fog that the driver can only go at such a speed to be able to stop at a distance to which he has a view. "With a visibility of up to 50 meters, which corresponds to half the length of the football stadium, the speed should not exceed 50 kilometers per hour. In some European countries, such as Germany, France or Slovenia, they are set directly by law, " says Roman Budský of the Road Safety Team. You can think well about passing another motorist. The dense fog reliably hides the anti-aircraft cars that the overtaking chauffeur will actually see just before the collision. In addition, the overtaking one after the successful overtaking will get rid of the odious impression that the one before him unreasonably traverses. It will be he who will stare horribly in the fog, and will be dazzled by the lights of the vehicles that follow him.
Daytime running lights are definitely not enough. This is especially important when traveling in the daylight section of local fogs. The car must be clearly visible to others, so it is necessary to light the dipped and side lights. "And rear fog lights must also be lit. The Road Traffic Act so requires. On the other hand, the front fog lamps are not mandatory and therefore the driver is not required to light. Some drivers like to use them without it being allowed. Front fog lamps can only be used for fog, snow or heavy rain. And if we turn on the front fog lamps, always with the passing lights, the outline is not enough for many years, " explains Roman Budský.
Terrible are local fogs . From a segment with good visibility to a cloudy cloud, a number of drivers nest in without a reduction in speed. They often rely on the fact that they know the road well and can not surprise them. It is enough to have an unexpected obstacle on the road, and it is done for a tragic accident. On the contrary, it is necessary to switch off the rear fog lamp after emerging from the fog to a long section with good visibility. Especially in the dark, it is difficult to dazzle the driver behind. This is not only unpleasant to them, but also dangerous. Therefore, it is not by chance that in Italy or Poland the law stipulates that the rear fog lamps must not be used if the visibility is more than 50 meters. In the UK it is about 100 meters away. In Slovakia, the rear fog lamps can only be used for fog, snow or rain. "Unfortunately, unlike the Slovak road traffic regulations, but also our predecessor of the Road Traffic Act, Decree No. 99/1989 Coll., It is not explicitly forbidden by the law to use the rear fog lamps even when the fog is not hungry or dense. It is hard to be surprised that a number of the drivers do not bother to turn their heads off with good visibility, " Budes said.
Everyone must see, not just motorists. Pedestrians must be equipped with reflective accessories when walking outside the village, not only in the dark but also in the daylight for poor visibility. "Of course, when a collision with a motor vehicle, a pedestrian never comes out as a winner, it is highly recommended to use reflexes even when walking in the city," says Roman Budský. Cyclists have to be illuminated both in front and in the rear, and their visibility for motorists increases significantly if they are wearing a reflective vest . When walking in the fog, pedestrians and cyclists should move as far as possible out of the carriageway, ie at the very edge of the road where possible on the sidewalk.
Source: tz Road Safety Team, edited editorially
