What Headlights Beam to Use in Fog

Vehicles today have three main types of headlights – high beams, low beams, and fog lights. High beams are best for very dark country roads and where there’s no visibility. They are rarely ever used and aren’t recommended where there’s traffic due to their brightness.

Low beams are what most drivers use when it gets dark. They are ideal for normal driving situations and are usually less bright than high beams. On the other hand, fog lights are meant for poor weather, such as when there’s snow, fog, or rain.

What headlights to use in fog

The best headlights to use in fog are low beams and fog lights. Low beam headlights are designed to light the ground just in front of the car and the peripheral areas. Fog lights illuminate just beneath the fog to allow the driver to see the road ahead.

Foggy weather can reduce visibility drastically. Research shows that fog usually settles about 12-18 inches above the ground. It does not get in contact with the road. As such, fog lights are designed to light up the fog-free layer of air beneath.

They allow the driver to see roadside reflectors and the white solid fog line that is usually painted on the edge of the road. When caught in other forms of poor weather such as snow, rain, and heavy mist, it’s advisable to switch on your low beam headlights.

Some weather situations may require you to drive with both your low beams and fog lights on. Contrary to what many people may think, you should never turn your high beam headlights on when you have poor visibility.

The intense light they produce will hit the fog and reflect back at you. This will further reduce visibility and make it even more difficult for you to drive. Save the high beams for driving at night in poorly lit roads that have no traffic.

Tips for driving in fog

Fog lights can help you see up to 300 feet or less. In most states, the law requires drivers to turn them off if visibility is more than that to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. Every year, however, fog accounts for about 38,700 crashes.

To avoid endangering your life, here are some tips to follow when driving in fog.

• Turn on your fog lights and low beams in dense fog
• Turn off your fog lights when visibility is normal
• Use your defroster to avoid having foggy windshield and windows
• Stay alert for other stopped or slow-moving vehicles
• Use the roadside reflectors, white fog line, or right edge of the road to stay in your lane
• Avoid changing lanes, speeding, or passing other vehicles in poor visibility conditions
• Pull off the pavement or use an exit when you need to stop
• Avoid stopping in travel lanes

Conclusion

The two types of headlights that you should use when driving in fog are your low beams and fog lights. These are designed to illuminate the ground and road ahead when driving in poor weather. Avoid using your high beams as they will only lower visibility further.