Eight Tips for Commercial or Owner Operator Truck Driving in the Fog

When an aircraft flies through thick clouds and fog, the pilot uses his instrumentation to find his way. Unfortunately, such technology doesn’t exist for the commercial or owner operator truck driver trying to find his way through fog. Like everyone else on the road, he has only his eyes to guide him. Because so little is seen in the fog, people often make assumptions. They will assume (or hope) that the way ahead isn’t blocked by a stopped car or that the tail light they are using as a reference isn’t a car parked on the side of the road. Another common assumption is that the driver in the lead knows what he’s doing. These assumptions cause pileup accidents.

Driving your rig can only be based on what you actually see on the road. Making assumptions about what you can’t see will get your commercial or owner operator truck into an accident. As a provider of commercial or owner operator truck insurance in Georgia, we would like to share these eight tips for driving safely in fog:

  • Avoid fog when possible. Check weather reports and advisories before starting your trip. When an area is fogged in, either find an alternate route or delay your trip.
  • Slow down. Adjust your speed so that you can stop within the distance that you can see.
  • Allow plenty of following distance. If the car ahead gets into an accident, you need to have enough distance for safe stopping.
  • Use your flashers. Visibility works both ways. You want to see other traffic and you also want them to see you.
  • Use the road to guide you. Follow the painted line that indicates your lane or follow the edge of the road. Don’t rely exclusively on the tail lights ahead.
  • Don’t allow your windshield to fog up. Use your defroster.
  • Use your low beams. Low beams are better at penetrating the fog. High beams will reduce your ability to see.
  • Never stop on the road. This includes the shoulder. Motorists driving too fast will rear end you. People cannot judge speed in thick fog and they can’t tell whether your commercial or owner operator truck is moving or parked. If you come across a safe pullover that is well off the road, park your truck.

If you have any questions about commercial or owner operator truck insurance in Georgia, don’t hesitate to contact us.