Pantagraph.com | Letters | Use common sense and your lights in the fog

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

to fog is dangerous wrote on Feb 12, 2008 8:35 PM:

" You're right it is dangerous. But you're wrong, events do get canceled during foggy conditions, our school's basketball tournament game was post poned during the fog we had last Monday. Good thing too, it was a bad day to drive. "

once again wrote on Feb 12, 2008 6:21 PM:

" get off of the police. My goodness, what's up? "

Fogger wrote on Feb 12, 2008 2:36 PM:

" yes if they wouldn't drive in the left lane everywhere they wouldn't get hit or tailgated. "

foggybottom wrote on Feb 12, 2008 2:22 PM:

" Forgot to mention: If fog is very thick and I must drive in it, I keep my EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON. I want to be as VISIBLE as POSSIBLE to other drivers! "

fogisDANGEROUS! wrote on Feb 12, 2008 2:21 PM:

" The only kind of weather more dangrous than dense fog is when roads are ice-covered. Yet businesses, schools and events often do not get cancelled because of fog. And too many drivers just barrel through it at the regular speed limit, as though visibility is fine. When there is dense fog, I stay OFF the roads. If I have to miss a paid day at work, I do so. I am NOT going to trade life and limb for a day's pay. We need to refigure how we treat days of thick fog in this state. "

G. Ryan wrote on Feb 12, 2008 2:04 PM:

" Here is the rules of the road quote:

FOG: It is best not to drive in fog. However, if you must drive in fog, take the
following precautions:
• Slow down. If you see headlights or taillights, slow down even more. A
driver may be driving in the center of the roadway or may be stopped or
barely moving.
• Drive with your headlights set on dim, or use foglights.
• Do not overdrive your headlights. Stay within the limits of your vision. You
may have to stop suddenly. If the fog is too dense, pull off the roadway and
stop. Do not drive at 5-10 mph.
• Use your turn signal long before you turn, and brake early when you
approach a stop to warn other drivers. "

to: To:?!?! wrote on Feb 12, 2008 11:37 AM:

" I don't see fog listed in your quote from the Illinois Rules of the Road. "

To:?!?! wrote on Feb 12, 2008 3:36 AM:

" When rain begins to fall lightly, water, dust, oil and leaves cause the roadway to
become slippery. Take the following precautions when driving in rain:
• Turn on your headlights when operating your wipers (Illinois law); parking lights are
not acceptable.
•Straight from page 87 of the Illinois rules of the road which can be viewed at the Illinois Secretary of State web site. "

!?!?!? wrote on Feb 12, 2008 12:15 AM:

" Would someone leave the location in the rules of the road laws where i can read about lights on during fog. i would like to read the complete law. thanks "

Krusty Krab wrote on Feb 11, 2008 10:07 PM:

" FROM THE AUTHOR: "Veterans Parkway was bad enough but on Route 51, where visibility was almost zero, it was a nightmare to come up on someone moving real slow that I couldn't see until I was practically right on them." *** This statement from the author is practically the definition of DRIVING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS... which is the #1 cause of crashes during this type of weather. GOOD JOB TO THE AUTHOR!!!! .... drive too fast and then blame others for an equipment violation.
"

to: Observer wrote on Feb 11, 2008 9:57 PM:

" Good point, why don't the cops all go sit outside...in the fog...with the half block visability...and look for cars without headlights on? I'm sure they'd write TONS of tickets *rolls eyes*. "

Senior Lady wrote on Feb 11, 2008 8:36 PM:

" Great letter Marsha! On January 31, driving to Bloomington in a blowing snowstorm at 5:15, I was shocked to see a car passing me going south on I-55 over the speed limit with no lights at all. It was as if the driver thought he/she was the only one on the road. I am also surprised at people that don't turn their lights on when it is getting dark or when it is raining and their windshield wipers are working. They need to read the Rules of the Road. And parking lights don't count as headlights. "

RK wrote on Feb 11, 2008 7:27 PM:

" To Martin Corbin: I turned in front of a pickup or SUV that only had its parking lights on, because I couldn't see it until I was committed to the turn. Normal headlights would have prevented that, as they aim downward, while only high beams reflect back because they aim up as well.

To Finger: I hope you're being sarcastic. "

Jeff wrote on Feb 11, 2008 7:07 PM:

" And this is new? "

Missy2 wrote on Feb 11, 2008 4:54 PM:

" If you think your drive home was bad, try driving the streets eight hours a day with those same people. No headlights, no turn signals, talking on their cell phones, while reading the paper, putting on their makeup and having their morning coffee and cigarette. This is only a small portion of what goes on out on the streets, all day and all night. "

To: Martin Corbin wrote on Feb 11, 2008 4:43 PM:

" No, headlights are necessary in a fog. It's when you have your brights on that the light reflects back from the fog making visibility much worse for the driver. "

Martin Corbin wrote on Feb 11, 2008 2:55 PM:

" I would assume the writer was saying that you should use your parking lights while driving in the fog but NOT your headlights because it would be impossible to see if you drove with your headlights on in fog.

Although if it is too foggy to see someone in front of you you probably shouldn't be driving at all "

Martin Corbin wrote on Feb 11, 2008 2:52 PM:

Right! wrote on Feb 11, 2008 2:04 PM:

" It is not only the fog, but every day at dusk and dawn. Just because you can see does not mean your car can be easily be seen by others. If you notice that 90 percent of the cars on the road have their headlights on, maybe it is time to turn yours on. It is not going to waste gas or take any of your precious time. It might even save your life. If it is foggy and an approaching car is flashing their headlights at you, get a clue that something may be wrong.

I myself drive with my headlights on all the time. It is the first thing I do when I get in my car is to turn them on and turn them off when I get out. "

Duh!! wrote on Feb 11, 2008 2:01 PM:

" Dense fog=dense people. "

Marsha wrote on Feb 11, 2008 12:35 PM:

" I'm in total agreement with you. I'm just resolved to accept the fact that a certain percentage of drivers are just too stupid to turn their lights on in dense fog. There will always be some people at the tail end of the bell curve. "

Meh wrote on Feb 11, 2008 12:05 PM:

" I ran into a number of lightless drivers doing 80mph+ during the fog last week. I'm sincerely surprised they didn't wreck. "

HEM wrote on Feb 11, 2008 12:00 PM:

" I agree with the writer. However, you have to remember, not everyone has daytime running lamps. Therefore, if you are driving in the day and can see your instrument panel fine whilts it's not lit up, it may not dawn on you to turn on your lights. Although, common sense should tell you in conditions like that, you should make sure your lights are on but then again...some people just simply forget. I doubt anyone delibertly decided to NOT turn on their lights during dense fog. "

great letter wrote on Feb 11, 2008 11:51 AM:

" And very true. I've had the misfortune of driving the last two times we had that dense fog - once in town and once on the interstate. It's very true that if someone doesn't have their headlamps on (not just day lamps), you cannot see them until it's nearly too late. People need to use common sense! "

finger wrote on Feb 11, 2008 10:26 AM:

" I drive an SUV so I don't need to turn my lights on. I just put it in 4 wheel drive and step on the gas. If you can't see me then too bad for you!! "

Good going Marsha wrote on Feb 11, 2008 10:19 AM:

" This as been a on going problem here in Bloomington-Normal.
On that day you could not see more the a half a block and still I counted 8 cars in a mile with no head lights.This happens all the time here and if it was enforced along with turn signals too.Its bad went you are going 35mph and someone stops in front of you with no warning.This happens all the time.
I think 40% of Bloomington-Normal residents throw the rules of the road book out the window when they drive.
Did any one ever think if this was enforced we would have the money the city is lacking "

Missy wrote on Feb 11, 2008 9:52 AM:

" I totally agree with the writer of this letter. It was quite an anxious drive home from work during this thick fog last week, and I was shocked at the number of people driving around without their lights on. Now, I figure perhaps some just plum forgot, or didn't realize their lights weren't on. Thinking this was the case when an oncoming car suddenly popped out of the fog and didn't have their lights on, I reached down and flipped my lights off then quickly back on to make the other driver aware of their faux pas. Instead of turning their lights on, this driver gave me the finger and continued to drive without headlights! "

Marsha wrote on Feb 11, 2008 9:16 AM:

" This has been my complaint for a LONG time. The law went into effect 2/1/06!!! When driving in inclement weather, and for claification, that includes FOG, you MUST have your headlights on. So the auto makers came up with "daylights" because of ignorant and lazy people. However,you must be aware that your "daylights" may not be hooked up to your taillights and therefore when you use your daylights, you back end may be oblivious. I, too, am amazed that cops won't stop people for this. I could make Bloomington/Normal a bunch of money if I could issue tickets for no headlights and expired license plates. "

Turn Signals Too. . . wrote on Feb 11, 2008 8:52 AM:

" It would also be nice if some people out there would review the laws regarding turn signal usage. Whether it is foggy or not, most people do not properly use their turn signals. They wait until they are at their turn to turn it on, if they even have the courtesy to turn it on at all. "

10-4 wrote on Feb 11, 2008 8:44 AM:

" I agree with you, Marsha. It's too bad you had to write a letter (common sense) but hopefully people will read and learn how to turn the lights on. "

Observer wrote on Feb 11, 2008 7:54 AM:

" I have noticed this too. My question is, why don't Police do anything about it? I was following three cars on I-55 with no lights in heavy fog and we drove right past a State Police car near Towanda. Seems like cops don't care about anything but seat belt tickets. "

Its all about me wrote on Feb 11, 2008 6:49 AM:

" Many drivers are not using caution needed for others safety. It is apparent to me that high speed, and taking uneccessary chances in limited visablity are symptoms of selfish driving habits. You can't tell me we are pressured to get home so we can do more work in the evening. I am sure you are aware that the drive home is done at a faster pace than going to work. The global warming crowd must use alternate routes to mine, because a lot of people are burning extra gas getting home so quickly. "

yup wrote on Feb 11, 2008 5:29 AM:

" Could't agree more Marsha. I was coming home from work on RT.24 last Monday. A semi truck missed his turn and tried to turn around in the middle of the road. His stupidity caused a 9 car pile up. Before that point I saw so many cars without their headlights on. What ticks me off more are the people who only turn on their parking lights. Their caled PARKING lights for a reason. "

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