On a cold, foggy morning you’re driving along a rural A-road. Visibility is around 80 metres and traffic is moving slowly but steadily. You want to drive in a way that’s both safe and environmentally responsible. What should you do?

Explanation

The Highway Code Rule 235 states that in fog you should slow down, use dipped headlights and, if visibility is seriously reduced (generally less than 100 metres), use fog lights. Using dipped headlights and only using fog lights when visibility is very poor reduces unnecessary glare for other drivers and avoids wasting fuel and energy by overusing lights. Keeping your speed steady, avoiding harsh acceleration and braking, and maintaining a safe separation distance also improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions, while keeping you and others safe. Using full beam in fog is unsafe because the light reflects off the fog and reduces visibility, and driving close to the vehicle in front increases collision risk and does not improve environmental performance.