We’ve had our fair share of dreamy, golden-sunset mornings here in the Valley, but every once in a while, something else moves in: heavy fog. If you drive anytime around dawn (or even late at night) in the San Joaquin Valley/Fresno County area, you’ve likely encountered it: a blanket of white that somehow steals your depth perception, makes it hard to see the road markings, the car ahead, your hand on the steering wheel. I want to share a story and give you (and especially your younger drivers) some concrete tips on driving more safely in it.
A foggy Thanksgiving memory
Years ago, I visited my grandparents in the small community of Caruthers (shout out to the city that host the last traditional fair) over the Thanksgiving holiday. Early morning, I climbed into the car for a drive. I could not see my hand if I stretched it out in front of me. That’s not exaggeration: the fog was that thick. Every tree, mailbox, and road sign was not visible. I remember feeling extra-vigilant, gripping the wheel, listening for other vehicles, wondering if I should just park and wait until it cleared. My grandparents lived there, and they had seen mornings like that before, the kind of fog that creeps in after the night, when the cold settles and the valley traps the moisture.
Because we’re in a valley, surrounded by hills and often dealing with temperature inversions and moist ground air, this “tule fog” phenomenon is real.
That experience stuck with me. If I, a seasoned driver comfortable in many conditions, felt a little unnerved, it tells me I’ve got to be twice as thoughtful when I’m behind the wheel in fog. And so should you.
Why fog is more dangerous than you may think
- According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), more than 38,700 vehicle crashes annually in the U.S. happen in fog or low-visibility conditions. Over 600 fatalities and 16,000+ injuries each year.
- In California specifically, fog-related fatal crashes are among the highest: one study found ~755 fatal fog crashes in California.
- A note from Caltrans: “Nearly three in four fog-related collisions are connected to motorists driving too fast.”
- And while fog collisions may not dominate all weather-related crashes, they are disproportionately deadly. (One stat: only about 3% of weather-related crashes happen in fog, but they account for a bigger share of fatal crashes.
So yes: even though you may not hear about “fog crash” every day like a snow or rain slick, the risk is real — especially for younger drivers, early morning or late evening commuters, and those unfamiliar with valley fog conditions.
Driving safely in the fog: tips you can share
- Slow down — far below the posted speed if needed.
- When visibility is reduced, reaction time shrinks. Even if you’re comfortable doing 55 mph, if you can’t see more than 100 feet ahead it’s simply too fast.
- Use low-beam headlights (and fog lights if your car has them) — don’t blast high beams. High beams reflect off the fog, scatter light and actually reduce your ability to see.
- Increase your following distance.
- Give yourself more cushion between you and the car ahead. Mist-covered roads plus limited sight means you might need extra space to stop safely.
- Turn down the radio / eliminate distractions.
- This is huge for younger or less experienced drivers. When conditions worsen, every extra second of attention counts. Use your ears and eyes — you may hear a vehicle you can’t yet see. In fog, sound becomes a backup.
- Stay alert.
- Keep your speed consistent; avoid sudden moves. Fog can hide hazards like stopped vehicles, debris, or animals.
- Try to stay in your lane, using road markings and reflectors.
- If it gets really bad (you can’t see much of the road ahead) consider pulling over safely (off the road, hazard lights on) and waiting it out.
- Use windshield wipers and defrosters if needed.
- Fog often brings more moisture and your car may accumulate condensation or mist. Clear glass is still a big part of seeing well.
- Avoid passing unless absolutely necessary.
- Because you may not see oncoming vehicles until they’re very close, avoid riskier maneuvers until visibility improves.
- Consider the time of day and location.
- Early morning, especially around sunrise, is when valley fog typically forms. Rural roads are riskier. The Caltrans stat above includes those trends.
- Younger drivers often have less experience judging visibility and adjusting speed and distance accordingly.
- They may rely more on “feel” than visual cues — in fog, your cues change.
- Driving to early morning practices, jobs, errands in our Valley means fog can sneak up on them.
- By getting the habits now — slower speed, fewer distractions, scanning, using sound, being okay with pulling over — you build a foundation of safer driving for years.
Why share this with younger drivers (and your network)
Final thought
So next time you pull out early in the morning and you see that thick grey-white blanket rolling across the valley floor, take a breath, turn the radio down, ease off the speed, and give yourself a little more margin. Because the road may look familiar, but under a fog cover it’s a different beast. I’ll never forget that strange Cadillac of mist in Caruthers when I couldn’t see my hand — and if that can happen on the road I know well, it can happen any time…