As an automobile glass workshop, we know that you must be very cautious on the road, as there are external factors that make driving more difficult, and we must take extra care not to put ourselves in danger.
Fog is one of these external and unavoidable factors that we may come across on the road. In addition to taking extra caution at the wheel, it is advisable to carry out a rain‑repellent treatment for cars to add extra safety to our daily driving, as well as using lights to your advantage and following the 3V rule.
Driving in fog
Use your lights
As specialists in car glass, we know that in these types of weather conditions, position lights should always be on, along with dipped beams, regardless of whether there is a lot or a little fog.
A very common mistake is to switch on the full beam headlights, as many think this will improve visibility — but it is quite the opposite. With full beams, the light reflects off the fog, hindering your own visibility and dazzling other drivers.
Another set of lights you should not forget are the fog lights. As specialists in car glass repair, we know that front fog lights are not mandatory, but rear fog lights are required when the fog is very dense, as they allow other drivers to see the vehicle in front much more easily.
Apply a rain‑repellent treatment for vehicles
Rain‑repellent treatment for cars is a type of liquid made up of a series of acrylic resins and transparent polymers that is applied to car glass with a specific spray. Its function is to repel water particles when the vehicle is travelling at 80 km/h or more, with the aim of improving visibility and reducing the use of windscreen wipers.
Always keep the windscreen in top condition
Fogging on car windows is very common when it rains or is foggy, due to sudden changes in outside temperature. One technique to keep the glass free from fog is to direct the heating towards the windows if you want to remove condensation instantly, or direct the air conditioning if you don’t mind waiting for them to clear.
In addition to this, it is very important to replace or repair car glass as soon as necessary, as well as keeping it clean and applying a rain‑repellent treatment periodically.
Use the 3V rule
The 3V rule is a standard established by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) that must be followed to the letter in situations like this. This rule is based on: Visibility = Speed = Vehicle in front. That is, in a situation where visibility is 40 metres, you must drive at 40 km/h and keep a distance of 40 metres from the vehicle ahead.
In the event of sudden fog, you should increase your safety distance and reduce speed until visibility is restored. If you find yourself in this unexpected situation, you must stop accelerating and gradually reduce your speed — never abruptly, as this could startle the driver behind you.
These have been our tips as an automobile glass workshop and experienced drivers — now it’s your turn to put them into practice the next time you drive in heavy fog.
