Living in Texas, there are surprisingly days when you might be startled by fog.

While Texas is often thought of as a clear and dry place, it can actually experience sudden thick fog in the early morning or at dawn. Especially when driving near San Antonio or Austin, or along roads by rivers and lakes, you may find your clear view turning white in just a few seconds.

I also encountered sudden fog while driving on the highway a few years ago in the early morning.

The distance to the car in front of me shrank instantly, and what I felt at that moment was, "This could lead to a serious accident."

The first thing to do when fog sets in is to reduce your speed.

Driving at a more relaxed pace, even if it feels frustrating, is actually safer. Intersections, exits, and traffic lights are harder to see than usual, so it's important to develop the habit of slowing down in advance.

You should also turn on your low beams. However, using high beams can reflect light off the fog particles, making your view even whiter. Therefore, it's better to use just the headlight setting. While it's important to ensure your own visibility, it's even more crucial that other vehicles can see your car.

Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles is something you need to pay much more attention to. It's wise to leave enough space in case the car in front suddenly brakes.

When the fog is thick, the end of the road or signs may appear blurry. In such cases, it's safest to focus on the lane markings directly in front of you.

Honestly, there's no day more dangerous for using your phone than on a foggy day. The moment you take your eyes off the road to check a text, an unexpected situation can arise. It's best to set your dashboard and navigation in advance if possible.

If the fog becomes so thick that you can barely see ahead, it's advisable not to drive recklessly. It's wise to pull into a safe parking lot, rest area, or gas station and wait until conditions improve. Stopping on the shoulder of the highway can actually be more dangerous.

Fog in Texas usually clears up within a few hours, but many accidents occur during that short time. In accident-prone areas, there are places where 1-2 people die each year.

Ultimately, the best approach is not about needing special driving skills, but rather driving a little slower, keeping a little more distance, and being a little more cautious than usual.

It's always good to remember that an accident can change everything in an instant.