Weather and daylight visibility challenges

Driving safety tips in inclement weather

Right steps can keep drivers safe when weather and daylight changes

You can't drive if you can't see. It sounds simple, yet how many drivers do all they can to ensure they have good visibility behind the wheel? When it comes to safety, it's critical. The following are just a few of the naturally occurring problems that can hinder your ability to see properly while driving.

High humidity

High humidity can cause fog to condense on the inside of windows. Hardly perceptible when it starts, the fog can quickly build up into a coating that blocks vision. Consider the following steps to alleviate the problem:

• At the first sign of condensation inside the windshield, turn on the defroster and slightly open a side window.


• Turn on the air conditioner, regardless of temperature, to dry out the air.


• In extreme conditions, wipe the inside glass surfaces.

Outside fog

Outside fog that obscures vision along roadways calls for driving with extreme caution. Defensive drivers slow down at the first patch of fog they encounter.

Light fog can suddenly turn into dense fog - the "pea soup" kind - which can blind every driver on the road and lead to multiple crashes and long pileups.

For safe driving in a fog, consider:

• Turning on low-beam headlights, even in daylight.


• Keeping the high-beam headlights off - the moisture particles in the fog can reflect the light back in to the driver's eyes


• Slowing to a crawl or even pulling onto the shoulder - leaving the headlights on as a warning to other drivers - in dense fog.

Dusk and dawn

Light at dusk and dawn can be deceptive. As daylight fades at dusk, hazards that could be easily seen earlier are not clearly defined by twilight and become difficult to see.

That's when defensive drivers turn on low-beam headlights to help themselves see and help other drivers see them.

In addition, when driving east at sunrise or west at sunset, the sun's glare can pose additional problems. Defensive drivers will use sun visors and sunglasses, and slow down until they're in command of the situation. Even if the sun is at your back, oncoming drivers have the sun in their eyes and may not see you.

Weather changes

When weather reduces visibility, defensive drivers turn on headlights to help themselves see and to help other motorists see them. If a change in weather means rain, snow or sleet, consider using your wipers right away - a few squirts of your windshield washer will clear any smears on the windshield, leaving your wipers better able to take care of the rain. Drops of rain on windows can distort what you see through your rearview mirrors, too. Defensive drivers:

• Check them more carefully


• Open a window enough to get a clear view when changing lanes or preparing for a turn in cases when a clear view may not be available

At intersections, consider taking a second and third look, and don't assume you'll be able to accelerate to get out of the way of a vehicle you didn't see soon enough - the wet roadway may cause your wheels to spin and leave you vulnerable to an oncoming motorist who can't stop in time.

Help is available

At Allstate, we want to not only provide the insurance coverage that helps protect your people and property, but to give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing you're backed by a team of Loss Control Consultants who understand your business and can help you prevent a loss before it happens.

That's why we've created the Allstate Safety Line at 800-877-6998, where Loss Control Consultants personally help small-business owners learn more about:

• Fleet and auto safety
• Accident investigations
• Self-inspection procedures
• Safety training
• Fire protection and safety
• Hazard control methods
• Safety and health rules and regulations that apply to your particular business
• Much more

Just call us anytime with your contact information and briefly describe your question or issue. If a trained Loss Control Specialist isn't immediately available, one will call you back by the end of the next business day.