we are driving from scotland to norfolk satarday morning.
2006-12-21 21:30:22 · 13 answers · asked by stuart r 2 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Other - United Kingdom
It can freak you out a bit if your wipers are going but your screen isn't clearing, yes. The motorways are wet and the spray is filthy too from days of damp mugginess. Make sure you have the following before the journey:
- A pair of properly working wiper blades.
- A fully topped up washer bottle with a good strength of washer fluid, plus some spare in another bottle. (Check the nozzles on the washer jets aren't blocked either)
I have just driven back home and the fog has mixed with the pollution and the tiny water particles are smearing annoyingly on the windscreen. I had to use my washer jets at least 3 times just to get round town.
- A can of de-icer
Some warm clothes and fully charged mobile phones, snacks and drinks for the journey.
A demister pad for the windows inside of the car. (Optional - but my car hasn't got the most effective heater so I need additional help to keep windscreen from misting up in the cold and damp!)
Drive with a rear foglight on, and if you have a couple of low-down front fogs, they are okay. DON'T USE FULL BEAM HEADLIGHTS THOUGH - just normal lights will do. Fog reflects the light you shine into it, so if you use your full beams, all that bright light is reflected right back into your eyes, reducing visibility.
Another possibly vital tip - today I noticed a few doombrain drivers still out driving without their lights on...so dangerous! When you come to a "quiet" junction and are not sure about pulling out, wind down your window and listen for traffic. If you don't see them, you should be able to hear them at least.
Also - a few obvious tips - keep your distance from other cars if you can. It's tempting to tail another car's lights closely in this weather, but not safe. The freezing fog smearing all over the windscreen just makes the visibility all the worse.
I hope this advice is more helpful than it is patronising. I hope you have a safe and good journey!
2006-12-22 05:06:49 · answer #1 · answered by badgerbadger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a motorist you'll not notice any difference between freezing fog and normal fog. The roads will be icier and visibility will be low. Norfolk is always foggy so they are used to it. Dip your headlights as low as they can go and obviously use fog lights if you have them.
Your journey will probably take all day, i'd hazard a guess at about 10 to 12 hours. Motorway speeds will be down to under 50 maybe under 40 even.
Just remember to give yourself more time than you think and more margin for safety than you might normally.
Safe journey and Merry Christmas.
2006-12-21 21:44:15 · answer #2 · answered by Bror Jace 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is extremely dangerous to drive in freezing fog - but it's not impossible. You need to make sure that your headlights are on (dipped - not full beam) fog lamps are illuminted (front and back if you have them) and that you drive according to the conditions of the road - many roads will have been gritted but the freezing fog can obviously refreeze ice melted by the salt - so take care.
AND - make sure your car is up to the journey - water in screenwash and radiator - both should have antifreeze. Fuel and oil etc. and take along spare clothing and drinks heater if you can just in case of emergencies.
Providing you take necessary precautions you should be ok.
Good luck and Merry Christmas.
2006-12-21 21:42:23 · answer #3 · answered by Phlodgeybodge 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should be fine as long as you heed the advice from previous answers - make youself visible, front & rear fog lights, keep your distance from other cars - you will get the occasional pillock come up behind you and tailgate, let them past or pull over, you may see them further down the road in a tangled heap in a hedge. Carry spare water for your windscreen washer, in this weather there is a lot more dirty spray from other vehicles and there maybe a possibility of your water jets freezing so a couple of spare bottles will come in handy.
Have a safe journey and Merry Christmas
2006-12-21 22:22:52 · answer #4 · answered by boredatwork 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an absolute nightmare, the most important thing is to keep an eye on what others are doing as most people tend to over react and go everywhere at 10 mph with full beam lights on, this causes more problems then it solves.
Enjoy your drive down the M1, absolute beast of a road but probably better then the M6
2006-12-21 21:41:36 · answer #5 · answered by Steve K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really, just takes a bit more concentration but there is always the danger of ice... listen in to local radio stations traffic reports and drive according local conditions
2006-12-21 21:41:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All good advice above, keep a big gap between u and the car in front, watch out for those Muppits who insist on driving at 70 in all conditions, they will be the ones crashed and piled up ahead of you!
2006-12-22 00:30:36 · answer #7 · answered by moby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's fine as long as you drive within the distance you can see, as always. So it will take you a long time. Provided you are not taken out by some idiot along the way, that is! Personally, I would postpone the trip.
2006-12-21 21:44:48 · answer #8 · answered by Martin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes if you drive into it you can lose all vision, if it freezes to your windscreen, so make sure that your washer bottle has winter strength solution in it.
2006-12-21 21:43:09 · answer #9 · answered by Tropic-of-Cancer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you adjust your driving to suit the conditions, it's fine. Unfortunately 90% of the other jerks on the road won't - they are your biggest danger.
2006-12-21 21:38:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋