LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - June 10, 2009) - Dense fog was draped over parts of the Southland earlier this morning and the Automobile Club of Southern California is offering motorists driving pointers to travel safely and defensively in poor visibility.
"Motorists should plan extra time and monitor their speedometer while making their commute or trip because speeding or even driving at or near the speed limit in foggy conditions is unsafe," said Steve Mazor, manager of the Auto Club's Automotive Research Center in Diamond Bar. "It's a lot more difficult to see vehicles and also to judge the speed of vehicles you can see. Fog creates an illusion of slower motion when drivers may be speeding in reduced visibility conditions."
To highlight the danger, 106 people were killed in collisions that occurred in inclement weather and more than 7,696 people were injured in crashes during rain, snow and fog in 2007, according to the California Highway Patrol.
To avoid crashes, the Auto Club recommends:
-- Park in a closed garage. This reduces condensation and moisture on
vehicle windows, when you start out for your trip.
-- Defrost first. Before turning on the defroster, allow the engine to
warm up. Turn the heat control on and if the vehicle's windshield begins
to get cloudy, open the side window slightly and turn the defroster to a
higher speed. If you have an air conditioner, use it briefly to help clear
the windows.
-- Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will reflect off the fog,
creating a "white wall" effect. If your car has fog lights, now is the time
to use them.
-- Reduce speed. Fog creates visual conditions that fool the driver into
driving faster or slower, so slow down to a reasonable and legal speed and
use your speedometer to gauge it. Multi-vehicle collisions occur because
drivers are going too fast.
-- Partially open the driver's side window. Listen for traffic you can't
see and anticipate problems.
-- Keep a safe distance. In foggy weather, increase the braking distance
between you and the vehicle in front of you.
-- Drive cautiously. Avoid passing other vehicles and changing lanes, if
possible.
-- Stay informed. Tune into radio weather reports to know where traffic
congestion or crashes might be located. If possible, avoid these areas.
-- If stalled or a crash occurs. Attempt to exit the freeway or pull
well onto the shoulder and turn off lights so another motorist doesn't
mistakenly drive into you.
Car maintenance is important to safe driving in foggy weather. Motorists are advised to:
-- Make sure windshield wiper blades are in good condition. Streaks or
skipping on the vehicle's windshield are signs of worn wiper blades. Many
crashes occur because motorists couldn't see out of smeared windshields.
-- Keep headlights and taillights working and lenses clean. This vehicle
equipment is critical to help you see and be seen by other drivers in foggy
and also normal driving conditions.
Contact Information: CONTACT: Elaine Beno/Jeffrey Spring 714-885-2333