Driving Safely in Fog and Low Visibility

Fog, smoke and heavy rain can cut your view of the road without warning. Practical steps that keep professional drivers and everyone around them safe.

Low visibility is one of the most dangerous conditions a driver can face. In fog, a truck that is fully visible one moment can be hidden the next, and the long stopping distance of a heavy vehicle leaves very little margin for error. Whether it is morning fog along a river valley, smoke from a wildfire or heavy rain, the right response is to slow down and increase your safety margin.

Before you set out

Check the weather forecast and road reports for your route. Fog often forms overnight and clears by mid-morning, so a short delay can make the trip safer. Make sure your headlights, taillights, marker lights and windshield wipers are working and clean, because you will rely on every one of them.

Use your lights correctly

• Use low-beam headlights. High beams reflect off fog and reduce your vision.
• Turn on fog lights if your truck has them and local rules allow.
• Keep your lights and windshield clean, as dirt and film make glare worse.
• Do not rely on hazard flashers while moving unless it is necessary to warn others, and follow your jurisdiction's rules.

Reduce speed and increase distance

Slow down to a speed at which you can stop within the distance you can see. Double or triple your normal following distance so that you have time to react if the vehicle ahead brakes. Do not tailgate just to follow another vehicle's lights, since a sudden stop can lead to a chain-reaction collision.

Stay in your lane and stay alert

Use the right edge line as a guide, but do not drift toward the shoulder. Reduce distractions, turn down the radio and open your window slightly if needed to hear traffic. Be prepared for stopped vehicles, slow-moving farm equipment or animals on the road.

When visibility drops to almost nothing

If you cannot see safely, find a place to pull off the road completely, such as a rest area, a truck stop or a wide approach. Turn on your hazard lights and keep your foot off the brake so that following drivers do not mistake your brake lights for a moving vehicle. Move away from the vehicle if it is unsafe to remain inside, and call for help if needed.

Why training matters

Defensive driving does not come from a handbook alone. In our Class 1A and Class 3A courses, students practise observation, speed management and following distance in real on-road conditions with an instructor beside them. Learning how to respond calmly when conditions deteriorate is part of becoming a professional driver, and it is a skill you will use every season of the year.