Do’s and Don’ts for Safe Driving in Foggy Early-Winter Mornings in Bangladesh
Foggy mornings are not unusual in early winter in Bangladesh, which covers highways, rural roads, and even the city streets. This unexpected loss of visibility provides one of the most hazardous situations for drivers in the country. There are many accidents each year on highways such as Dhaka-Mymensingh, Dhaka-Chattogram, and the Padma Bridge approach roads, as well as in northern districts, where fog is so thick that it persists until late morning.
Fog complicates distance measurement, obstacle identification, and rapid response to the precipitous actions of vehicles. There is increased slipperiness on the roads because they are wet, and motorists often do not realise how hazardous the conditions are. These are the most detailed road safety tips you should follow, including what to do & what to avoid to facilitate safe driving in Bangladesh during winter mornings when it is already foggy.
Do’s for Safe Driving in Foggy Early-Winter Mornings in Bangladesh
1. Always Use Low-Beam Headlights
Visibility is very low in foggy conditions. The low-beam headlights do not produce the bouncing glare to the eyes as the high-beam headlights do. These are also the ones that make your car visible to the oncoming vehicles, people, and bicycles.
2. Turn On Fog Lights
Fog lights are also designed to penetrate thick fog at a low angle. Most new vehicles have yellow or white fog lamps that can see through fog better than ordinary headlights. With their help, it is much easier to see the sides of the road, the lanes, and potential obstacles.
3. Slow Down and Keep More Distance between the cars
In Bangladesh, there are often pile-up collisions on highways on foggy winter mornings because drivers keep their normal speed even when visibility is low. For safe driving in Bangladesh, slow down to 30%-40% of your usual speed and leave at least 4-5 seconds between your car and the one ahead by passing the vehicle in front. This will provide sufficient time to respond in case they suddenly brake.
4. Use Road Markings
If the visibility is less than 50 meters, use the signs in the left lane to keep the direction straight. Do not fall into the other lane, an easy source of road accidents on a two-lane rural and inter-district road in Bangladesh.
5. Wipe The Windshield With Wipers and Defogger
The damp air contains many water particles. Use wipers at low speed, front and rear defoggers, & turn on low in AC to keep down humidity indoors
6. Slightly Open Windows for Better Visibility
Opening windows can help air circulate and regulate humidity in the car. This eliminates fogging of the inner part of the windshield. It also allows you to hear sounds around you, such as oncoming traffic, horns, and ambulance sirens.
7. Be Extra Alert and Blow Horns Wisely
Sometimes sound is also distorted by fog. When approaching intersections, bends, bridges, or crossroads, always lightly tap your horn. This warns pedestrians, rickshaws, and motorbikes that are unaware of your approach.
8. Plan and Drive Slowly
Make your travel plans well in advance, as driving in fog is very risky, particularly when passing through areas such as Gazipur, Tangail, Cumilla, Sylhet, or the north districts, where fog usually persists until well into the morning. Slow, gradual driving saves lives.
Don’ts for Safe Driving in Fog
1. Never Use High-Beam Lights
The fog droplets bounced off the high beams, which left you with a blinding white wall in front of your car. This further decreases visibility and may temporarily blind passing drivers. Always use low beams when it is foggy.
2. Don’t Raise The Speed If Fog Seems to Clear
Sometimes fog clears here and there, then becomes dense again. The most significant cause of highway accidents on winter mornings is acceleration before a particular time. So do not raise your speed high even if everything looks clear.
3. Don’t Brake Suddenly
It is highly dangerous to pull up in the middle of a foggy road, as you might not be noticed by the vehicles behind you. Use hazard lights and pull over in a safe place.
4. Don’t Overtake
Passing in fog is risky because you cannot determine the distance or speed of the cars ahead of you. So overtaking is a big no in early morning drives.
5. Do Not Drive With Hazard Lights On While Moving
Keep the hazard lights off when in motion. This is a widespread misunderstanding in Bangladesh. Hazard lights while driving confuse other drivers. As it causes them to believe that you are failing your brakes or something bad is happening to your car.
Final Thought
The foggy mornings in winter require great caution, discipline, and responsibility from all drivers in Bangladesh. By following the do’s and don’ts, drivers can safely drive, secure their passengers, and avoid collisions on foggy roads. These highway safety measures can be used to make highways safer, travel easier, and foster a more responsible road-driving culture nationwide. Safe driving in Bangladesh is suitable for all people, both drivers and pedestrians, as well as society.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are early-winter mornings foggy & hazardous to drive in Bangladesh?
Early-winter mornings are hazardous to drive in Bangladesh, as fog reduces visibility, makes roads slippery, and also slows drivers' reaction time.
2. Which headlight should be used while driving in fog?
The beams are so high that they reflect off the mist droplets, forming a blinding glare. That’s why you should always switch on low-beam headlights.
3. How to drive safely in heavy fog?
Slowing to 30%-40% below the usual speed and keeping the distance to the car ahead at 4-5 seconds can be a safe option.
4. While driving, is it safe to use hazard lights in fog?
No. They mislead other road users and can lead to accidents. Only use them when you are in an open place.
5. What must I do should the fog momentarily clear?
Do not increase your speed. The fog suddenly becomes thick again, and this is the leading cause of the pileup accidents.
