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Difficulty: HardFog and Poor Visibility

While driving at 60 mph on a high-speed dual carriageway, you suddenly enter a dense bank of fog where forward visibility drops to approximately 70 metres. Which combination of driver actions complies with the Highway Code to safely manage vehicle speed and visibility?

  1. A
    Switch on main beam headlights to illuminate further into the fog and maintain a close distance behind the leading vehicle's rear fog lights.
  2. Ease off the accelerator gradually, activate dipped headlights and fog lights, check your speedometer regularly, and significantly increase your separation distance.Answer
  3. C
    Turn on your four-way hazard warning lights continuously while keeping your cruising speed to ensure trailing vehicles notice your presence.
  4. D
    Maintain your current cruising speed until visibility falls below 50 metres, continuing to apply the standard two-second rule for following distance.

Answer

Ease off the accelerator gradually, activate dipped headlights and fog lights, check your speedometer regularly, and significantly increase your separation distance.
According to Highway Code Rules 226 and 235, when visibility drops below 100 metres (70 metres in this scenario), drivers must use dipped headlights and are permitted to use fog lights. Drivers must reduce speed smoothly, constantly verify their true speed using the speedometer due to visual deception in fog, and maintain a generous following distance without relying on the vehicle ahead.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the forward visibility threshold against legal and safety benchmarks.
Visibility of 70 metres falls well below the 100-metre threshold specified in Highway Code Rule 226.
When visibility drops below 100 metres (approx. 328 feet), drivers must use dipped headlights and may use front or rear fog lights.
2
Adjust vehicle speed smoothly and counteract sensory distortion.
Speed is reduced progressively without abrupt braking, with regular checks of the speedometer instrument.
Highway Code Rule 235 warns that fog distorts motion perception, making drivers feel they are moving slower than their actual speed.
3
Select correct lighting and establish safe following margins.
Dipped headlights and fog lights are illuminated, and distance from preceding traffic is substantially increased without fixating on tail-lights.
Dipped beams prevent reflected glare, fog lights ensure visibility to other road users, and increased headway guarantees the driver can stop comfortably within clear sight.

Key Concept

Highway Code Rules 226 and 235: Lighting regulations, speed calibration, and separation margins in severe fog.
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Fog and Poor Visibility

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