DRIVING IN FOG REQUIRES EXTRA CAUTION, SLOWER
SPEEDS
The
tragic crash on I-43 in Sheboygan County last week is a stark reminder of the
deadly hazards posed by foggy conditions on Wisconsin highways.
The crash, which killed 10 and
injured at least 38 occurred shortly before 7:30 Friday morning in heavy fog on
I-43 near Cedar Grove and involved as many as 45 vehicles in a half-mile long
string of crashes. A fire erupted
following the crash, leading local and state law enforcement agencies to close
I-43 between Cedar Grove and Belgium. Last year (2001) in Wisconsin there were 1,066 crashes in conditions of fog, smog, or smoke. These crashes resulted in 22 fatalities and 593 non-fatal injuries. Fog-related crashes occur virtually statewide, everywhere in which the conditions are right for fog-formation (such as low-lying areas nears marshes and lakes. Fog-related crashes are not uncommon on I-43 between Milwaukee and Green Bay. When motorists encounter areas of fog, it's essential that they slow down. Speed is a major factor in fog-related crashes. Vehicles, especially trucks, going faster than they should in foggy conditions, will not have enough time to stop to avoid a collision. SAFETY
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN FOG ·
Consider postponing your trip
until the fog clears. ·
SLOW DOWN before you enter a patch
of fog. ·
If your car is equipped with fog
lamps, turn them on. ·
Be sure that you can stop within
the distance that you can see. ·
Turn on wipers and defroster to
remove moisture from the windshield. ·
Use your low-beam headlamps
whether it is day or night. ·
Don't use high beams, they reflect
off the fog and can impede visibility. ·
Use the right edge of the road or
painted road markings as a guide. ·
Watch out for slow-moving and
parked vehicles. ·
Do not change lanes or pass other
vehicles unless absolutely necessary. ·
If you must pull off the road,
signal, then carefully pull off as far as possible. ·
After pulling off the road, turn
on your hazard flashers. |
|
Copyright 1999 |
