Driving HGVs in Fog and Poor Visibility

Focus

Fog and poor visibility for HGV drivers. Winter ice decisions and night-work hours rules are separate topics.

Lights

• Use dipped headlights so others see you; follow the Highway Code for fog lights — on in seriously reduced visibility, off when it clears so you do not dazzle
• Keep lenses clean; a dirty light is half a light in fog
• Do not rely on high beam bouncing back at you in dense fog

Speed and space

• Cut speed before you “feel” late — an artic needs room you cannot see
• Increase following distance; brake lights appear late in fog banks
• Avoid sudden lane changes; indicate early and commit only when sure

When to stop

If you cannot see far enough to stop for a stationary queue or broken-down vehicle, find a safe place to park and wait. Pressing on to “make the slot” is how multi-vehicle fog crashes start.

Driver habit

Treat fog as a reason to call traffic early, not as a personal challenge. Arriving late beats not arriving.