Commuters across Basingstoke are waking up to decreased visibility on the roads this morning due to thick fog. 

While it might look like something from the horror film The Fog, it is nothing to be scared of providing you drive safely.

The RAC has issued advice for how motorists can proceed with caution.

Advice for driving in fog

#1 What should you do when driving in fog?

Before entering fog, you should check your mirrors, then slow down

Maintain a greater distance between you and the car in front, you could increase the gap to four seconds from the recommended two

#2 Make sure to use your wipers and to keep your windscreen demisted to aid visibility

If the word ‘fog’ is shown on a signal, but the road is clear, be prepared for a sudden bank of fog or drifting, patchy fog

Use your lights if visibility is reduced to 100 metres (328 feet) or roughly the length of a football pitch

#3 Do not use full beam, because the fog reflects the light back, reducing visibility even further

Do not attempt to navigate using the tail lights of the car in front, as these can give a false sense of security

#4 If visibility is very limited, wind down your windows at junctions and crossroads to allow you to lake sure you know where your fog-light switch is before you set isten out for approaching traffic

If you really cannot see, you should consider stopping until it is safe to continue.

  • Did you know that mist and fog are actually very different things?

Fog forms only at low altitudes and is actaully a type of cloud that touches the ground. Fog forms when the air near the ground cools enough to turn its water vapor into liquid water or ice.