Pennsylvania motorists likely know that driving in foggy conditions can be both nerve-wracking and hazardous. A dense fog can present drivers with a variety of risks that could cause severe injuries or death. In many cases around the country, fog has contributed to multi-vehicle collisions that have resulted in multiple fatalities. In November 2014, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a detailed report on this subject. It used as its benchmark foggy conditions in which visibility was reduced to less than 5/8 of a mile.
In this type of dense fog, contrast is reduced and details are obscured. The inability to accurately perceive speed or depth may be critical for those who are on the road. High beams are often ineffective, due to the light’s reflection off the moisture created by the fog, making it even more dangerous to drive.
In more severe conditions, a dense fog can engulf a roadway in minutes, with virtually no warning. Motorists driving through foggy conditions are typically classified as laggers and non-laggers. Most drivers are non-laggers, meaning they are uncomfortable with the decline in visibility and tend to tailgate other vehicles in order to compensate. Unfortunately, research shows that motorists driving through the fog are often 60 percent closer to objects than they believe.
Although some car accidents occurring in fog or other inclement weather conditions are unavoidable, many are caused by drivers who fail to use caution and care when they are confronted by them. A person who is injured in a collision that was caused by such a negligent driver may want to obtain the assistance of a personal injury attorney in pursuing compensation for the damages that have been sustained.