Poor visibility conditions can make driving more challenging, and conditions named in driver-safety guidance include rain, fog, snow, sun glare, and night driving.[1] This guide gives practical safety tips for preparing your vehicle, adjusting your speed and spacing, and knowing when to stop driving in rain, fog, snow, glare, and darkness.[7]

Poor visibility conditions

When visibility drops, driving risks rise, and poor visibility conditions include rain, fog, snow, and sun glare.[1] Rain can reduce driver perception, and it can be especially debilitating at night.[10] Fog can occur at any time, and visibility can deteriorate rapidly.[2] Winter weather can make driving more dangerous, especially in rain, snow, and fog.[8]

A budget-friendly approach starts before the trip because a complete pre-trip inspection can identify simple problems before they become dangerous on the road.[7] Check windshield wipers and blades, mirrors, lights, reflectors, defroster, tires, and brakes before beginning a trip.[7] Clean windows, lights, and mirrors because dirty surfaces greatly reduce and distort visibility.[7] Allow extra time for weather-related delays so you do not feel pressured to drive faster than conditions allow.[7]

Basic setup

Use headlights correctly because headlights help you see and help others see you.[8] In Oregon, low-beam headlights are required whenever windshield wipers are on.[8] Drivers must use headlights when they cannot see people or cars 1,000 feet ahead, including in rain and snow.[5] Low beam headlights help reduce glare in foggy conditions.[4]

Turn off cruise control during adverse weather so you remain in control of the vehicle.[7] Increase following distance to give yourself and surrounding drivers extra space to react safely.[7] Signal well in advance and make sure other road users see you.[7] Brake earlier and with less force than usual to help prevent sliding.[7]

Rain

Rain affects perception by making it harder to see through rainfall and by changing visibility through headlamps, windshields, the road, and road markings.[10] A bit of rain, snow, or ice can make roads slippery, and wet leaves can also be slippery and dangerous.[9] Roads can be extremely slippery during at least the first 20 minutes of rain after a dry spell because grease and oil can build up on road surfaces.[7]

Slow down when rain begins, leave extra space, and make inputs gently because slippery road surfaces reduce the margin for abrupt steering or braking.[7] Worn tires increase the chance of hydroplaning, so tire condition matters before the rain starts.[7] Never drive through deep or moving water if you cannot see the ground beneath it.[7] Watch for stopped or parked vehicles on the side of the road, on the roadway, or under overpasses during heavy storms.[7]

Fog

Fog on highways can be extremely dangerous because it is often unexpected and visibility can deteriorate rapidly.[2] The best advice for driving in fog is not to drive in it when you can avoid it.[2] If fog develops, watch for foggy conditions and be ready to reduce speed.[2] Do not assume fog will thin out after you enter it.[2]

If continuing in fog is unavoidable, use low beams rather than creating extra glare.[4] Fog reduces contrast, causing objects to become fainter and less distinct.[10] Fog also affects perceptual judgments of speed and distance because of reduced contrast.[10] Pulling off the road into a safe area is preferable when fog makes driving unsafe.[2]

Snow

Snow, freezing rain, fog, and rain are named as unpredictable weather conditions that can make roads slippery and visibility difficult.[9] Winter weather can make driving more dangerous, especially in rain, snow, and fog.[8] Low-beam headlights at night during a snowstorm can help minimize snow glare.[4] If windshield wipers are on, turning lights on helps other people see the vehicle.[8]

Use the same low-speed, high-space strategy in snow that you would use in other slippery weather.[7] Brake earlier and with less force than normal to help prevent sliding.[7] Increase following distance because extra space gives you and others more time to react safely.[7] Avoid cruise control during snow or any adverse weather so you remain in direct control.[7]

Glare

Bright glare from the sun during peak periods is included among poor visibility conditions that can challenge drivers.[1] Low beam helps reduce glare in foggy conditions, and low beam headlights at night during a snowstorm can also help minimize snow.[4] Clean windows, lights, and mirrors are important because dirty surfaces greatly reduce and distort visibility.[7]

For budget-friendly glare control, clean the windshield, mirrors, and lights before leaving rather than relying on costly accessories.[7] If glare combines with wet roads, remember that rain interferes with perception through windshields, headlamps, road surfaces, and road markings.[10] Keep speed low enough that you can respond to what you can actually see.[2]

Night driving

Driving at night is riskier, with crashes happening about three times more often than during the day.[8] Rain is especially debilitating at night because it reduces driver perception in several ways.[10] Headlights make your vehicle more visible to others, and correct headlight use helps you see.[8]

Night driving in rain, fog, or snow calls for reduced speed, extra following distance, and smooth braking.[7] Turn on headlights when visibility is limited by rain, snow, or other low-visibility conditions.[5] Use low-beam headlights in fog because low beam helps reduce glare.[4] If you cannot see enough roadway to continue safely, the best fog advice is not to drive.[2]

Common mistakes

Avoid assuming fog will clear after you drive into it.[2] Avoid cruise control during adverse weather because it reduces your direct control over the vehicle.[7] Avoid following closely because extra space is needed for safe reaction time.[7] Avoid dirty glass and lights because dirty surfaces greatly reduce and distort visibility.[7]

Avoid hard, late braking in slippery weather because earlier and gentler braking helps prevent sliding.[7] Avoid driving through deep or moving water when the ground beneath it is not visible.[7] Avoid starting a trip with worn tires because worn tires increase the chance of hydroplaning.[7] Avoid treating light rain as harmless because a bit of rain can make roads slippery.[9]

Safety warnings

Do not drive in fog if you can avoid it, because the best advice for driving in fog is not to drive.[2] Pull off the road into a safe area when fog makes continued driving unsafe.[2] Never drive through deep or moving water if the ground beneath it cannot be seen.[7] Watch for stopped or parked vehicles during heavy storms, including vehicles on the side of the road, on the roadway, or under overpasses.[7]

Give yourself more time before leaving because weather-related delays can require extra time.[7] Make repairs or adjustments as necessary after checking wipers, mirrors, lights, reflectors, defroster, tires, and brakes.[7] Use headlights correctly in rain, snow, fog, and darkness because headlights help you see and help others see you.[8]

Budget options

Start with low-cost maintenance: clean windows, lights, and mirrors before a trip.[7] Inspect windshield wipers and blades before driving in rain or fog.[7] Check mirrors, lights, reflectors, defroster, tires, and brakes as part of the pre-trip inspection.[7] Plan extra time for delays so safety does not depend on rushing.[7]

Use driving technique as your cheapest safety upgrade: slow down, increase following distance, signal early, and brake earlier with less force.[7] Turn on headlights in low-visibility conditions so others can see the vehicle.[5] Use low beams in fog and during snowy night conditions to reduce glare or minimize snow glare.[4]

Checklist

• Inspect wipers, mirrors, lights, reflectors, defroster, tires, and brakes before the trip.[7]
• Clean windows, lights, and mirrors before driving.[7]
• Allow extra time for weather-related delays.[7]
• Turn off cruise control during adverse weather.[7]
• Increase following distance in rain, fog, snow, glare, or darkness.[7]
• Brake earlier and with less force on slippery roads.[7]
• Use headlights when visibility is limited by rain, snow, or low-visibility conditions.[5]
• Use low beams in fog to reduce glare.[4]
• Do not assume fog will thin after you enter it.[2]
• Never drive through deep or moving water if you cannot see the ground beneath it.[7]

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