It's Foggy Out There; Safe Driving Tips to Help Motorists Navigate Through the Thick of It

LOS ANGELES, CA, Jun 10 (MARKET WIRE) --
Dense fog was draped over parts of the Southland earlier this morning and
the Automobile Club of Southern California is offering motorists driving
pointers to travel safely and defensively in poor visibility.

"Motorists should plan extra time and monitor their speedometer while
making their commute or trip because speeding or even driving at or near
the speed limit in foggy conditions is unsafe," said Steve Mazor, manager
of the Auto Club's Automotive Research Center in Diamond Bar. "It's a lot
more difficult to see vehicles and also to judge the speed of vehicles you
can see. Fog creates an illusion of slower motion when drivers may be
speeding in reduced visibility conditions."

To highlight the danger, 106 people were killed in collisions that
occurred in inclement weather and more than 7,696 people were injured in
crashes during rain, snow and fog in 2007, according to the California
Highway Patrol.

To avoid crashes, the Auto Club recommends:

-- Park in a closed garage. This reduces condensation and moisture on
vehicle windows, when you start out for your trip.

-- Defrost first. Before turning on the defroster, allow the engine to
warm up. Turn the heat control on and if the vehicle's windshield begins
to get cloudy, open the side window slightly and turn the defroster to a
higher speed. If you have an air conditioner, use it briefly to help clear
the windows.

-- Drive with lights on low beam. High beams will reflect off the fog,
creating a "white wall" effect. If your car has fog lights, now is the time
to use them.

-- Reduce speed. Fog creates visual conditions that fool the driver into
driving faster or slower, so slow down to a reasonable and legal speed and
use your speedometer to gauge it. Multi-vehicle collisions occur because
drivers are going too fast.

-- Partially open the driver's side window. Listen for traffic you can't
see and anticipate problems.

-- Keep a safe distance. In foggy weather, increase the braking distance
between you and the vehicle in front of you.

-- Drive cautiously. Avoid passing other vehicles and changing lanes, if
possible.

-- Stay informed. Tune into radio weather reports to know where traffic
congestion or crashes might be located. If possible, avoid these areas.

-- If stalled or a crash occurs. Attempt to exit the freeway or pull
well onto the shoulder and turn off lights so another motorist doesn't
mistakenly drive into you.

Car maintenance is important to safe driving in foggy weather.
Motorists are advised to:

-- Make sure windshield wiper blades are in good condition. Streaks or
skipping on the vehicle's windshield are signs of worn wiper blades. Many
crashes occur because motorists couldn't see out of smeared windshields.

-- Keep headlights and taillights working and lenses clean. This vehicle
equipment is critical to help you see and be seen by other drivers in foggy
and also normal driving conditions.

CONTACT:
Elaine Beno/Jeffrey Spring
714-885-2333

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