Driving in a Fog: Should You Use High Beams or Low Beams?
Updated: 5 days ago
No. Use low-beam headlights in fog. The National Weather Service warns that high beams create glare, making the road ahead harder to see. Brighter light does not solve poor visibility.
Driving in a fog. Things you should remember!
Slow down and leave more space behind the vehicle ahead. Give yourself extra travel time rather than trying to maintain your usual pace. Low beams also help other drivers see you: the National Weather Service notes that switching them on illuminates the taillights as well.
If you cannot see enough to continue
When visibility approaches zero and you are driving in fog, the National Weather Service recommends turning on hazard lights and pulling into a safe location, such as a parking lot, to stop. A travel lane is not a safe waiting place. Do not continue simply because your headlights are working.
Prepare before the next low-visibility trip
Check the weather and traffic reports before leaving. NHTSA recommends reviewing your route and considering postponement when road conditions are poor. A delayed departure gives you an option that is harder to arrange once you are already driving.
Check headlights, brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers before the trip.
Test the windshield wipers and defrosters; replace worn wiper blades.
Review the light and defroster controls while parked so you can find them without searching while moving.
Set the route before you leave and check your phone only when safely stopped.
Check recalls separately
Working lights and a clear windshield do not establish whether a vehicle has an open safety recall. Use NHTSA’s lookup to check your VIN, and follow any instructions that apply. The lookup does not assess the weather or tell you whether today’s route is safe.
More practical vehicle-safety guides
Official sources checked October 30, 2026. Follow local road restrictions and your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
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