While fog doesn’t affect the surface of the road, it’s still considered a driving hazard and can lead to accidents. However, if you employ a few driving safety tips, you’ll reduce your risk of being involved in an accident that will require roadside assistance. The suggestions listed here will help you stay safe on foggy roads.

How to Navigate Foggy Roads Successfully

1. Don’t Tailgate

Often, following another vehicle too closely leads to an accident. This risk increases when you’re driving in fog because you can’t see far ahead and anticipate when the leading vehicle might need to stop. As a rule of thumb, there should be one car length between you and the leading vehicle for every 10 mph you’re traveling. If you’re traveling at 60 mph, there should be six car lengths between the two.

2. Turn on Your Defroster & Windshield Wipers

You can avoid roadside assistance by turning on your windshield defroster in foggy weather. The fog can leave condensation on your windshield, which your wipers can clear, but it can also cause the glass to become obstructed. Using your defroster to clear the mist will help you see better, and you can identify obstacles that much sooner.

3. Don’t Follow Taillights 

It’s tempting to use the leading vehicle’s taillights to help guide you through the fog, but this is an unwise practice for a couple of reasons. First, the driver in the leading vehicle probably can’t see any better than you.

Secondly, focusing on someone’s taillights can distract you from other objects on the road. You may not see a pedestrian, animal, or another obstacle before it’s too late. In that case, you may end up needing more than roadside assistance if that distraction keeps you from stopping in time.

4. Keep It Slow

Don’t be afraid to drive slower in foggy conditions, even if this means pulling off to the side of the road. You can use the shoulder, or the white line on the right side to help you guide your vehicle. If you do take your vehicle to the side, turn on your hazard signals, so other drivers will see you from a distance.

When you are involved in a traffic accident, getting roadside assistance as soon as possible is an important action to take. Backed by almost 50 years of experience, Bolster's Towing provides accident assistance to people in Kalispell, MT, and the surrounding Flathead Valley area. Their certified drivers will get to you as soon as they can, any time of the day or night. To learn more about their services, visit their website. To request a tow, call (406) 752-4528.