The Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP) at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Hamad Trauma Center is warning drivers to take extra safety precautions during times of low visibility or foggy weather conditions.
“We are advising road users to take appropriate measures during low visibility or foggy conditions. This is most common during early mornings and evenings when cooler weather prevails. Commuters need to be extra aware of their surroundings and more conscious of other road users, especially in areas undergoing construction as this can result in unexpected changes to road layouts and traffic flow,” said Dr. Rafael Consunji, Director of the HIPP, the community outreach arm of HMC’s Hamad Trauma Center.
Drivers are advised not to drive if weather conditions prevent them from clearly seeing the road and their surroundings. If you absolutely must drive during times of low visibility, the following safety tips are recommended:
- Ensure all adult passengers are correctly wearing their seat belt and all children are using age-appropriate car seats.
- Before driving during foggy conditions, ensure you know how to correctly use your fog lights.
- Ensure your windows and mirrors are always clean before driving. During foggy condition, leave your windows partially rolled down and use your defroster and wipers to keep them clear and clean.
- Reduce your speed if visibility worsens. Expect to drive as slowly as 10 to 20 kilometers per hour and allow extra time to reach your destination.
- Don’t get too close to the car in front of you. Leave enough space between your vehicle and the car in front so you have time to react should the driver abruptly stop.
- In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, slow down, signal your intent to turn using your indicator and pull slowly off the road to a safe location. Once parked in a safe location, turn on your hazard lights.
- If you are a pedestrian or cyclist, wear reflectors or high-visibility clothing during foggy weather conditions.
