Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Tips for driving safely in predicted fog this Autumn

Keep a clear head driving, when all around you there's fog ...

With the Met Office predicting a high risk of fog over the British Isles throughout much of November, over 50s insurer RIAS is urging drivers to be aware of the perils from one of the most dangerous driving hazards on the roads.

High-pressure systems mean that fog is more likely to be present this autumn. With this in mind, RIAS is offering the following tips when driving in reduced visibility:

- Keep a safe distance from the car in front and use dipped headlights so other drivers can see you.
- Use windscreen wipers and demisters to help you to see what is in front of you.
- Make sure you know where your front and rear fog lights are - and use them in severe fog.
- Never hang on to someone else's tail lights. This can give a false sense of security and is dangerous, especially if the car in front has to perform an emergency stop.
- Keep to an even speed – don’t speed up suddenly, even if the fog seems to be clearing. You can suddenly find yourself back in thick fog.
- At a junction, stop, wind down the window and listen for traffic.
- Take a mobile phone with you for emergencies. However, never use it whilst driving.

It is also important to remember not to over-use your fog lights. The law, as presented by The Highway Code, states that you must only use fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced - generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres or the length of a football pitch - and that they must be switched off once visibility improves.

Janet Connor, MD of RIAS, comments: “Despite possible mild weather conditions this winter, drivers still need to be aware that driving in foggy conditions, particularly at night, can carry its own risks. When severe weather hits – such as snow or wind and rain storms, we are far more likely to stay off the road but we also urge drivers to take stock and be prepared for these other conditions too. Driving in busy traffic on a clear day is challenging enough, but you should be extra careful when driving in fog as visibility can seriously deteriorate in a matter of minutes – or metres. "

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:

- RIAS was established in 1992 and is a specialist provider of insurance products for the over 50s age group
- RIAS negotiates with a panel of insurers to secure competitive, value for money products
- RIAS has over 880,000 customers and employs over 1,200 people across two locations - Bournemouth and Belfast
- In July 2007 RIAS’ home insurance contents and buildings policies received four ‘Best Buy’ awards from Which? Magazine

RIAS is part of Fortis (Insurance UK), a leading provider of award-winning personal and commercial lines insurance solutions in the UK and the 2007 General Insurer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards. Its customer-centric strategy has been to align its activities to how customers want to buy insurance, based on delivering high-quality products, manufactured at costs better than market norms.

Its unique multi-distribution capability enables Fortis to deliver products face-to-face, by phone (inbound and outbound), over the Internet and via SMS technology. Aligning its business activities with its partners' general insurance strategies enables Fortis to offer end-to-end white label and branded capabilities in product development, marketing, campaign management, sales, fulfilment and award-winning claims management, providing a seamless integration with partner brands.

Insuring in excess of 6.6 million customers and working with a range of partners, Fortis is recognised for delivering consistent and high-quality customer experiences. It employs 2748 people as of 31/03/07 with a head office based in Eastleigh and others in Gloucester, Bournemouth, Stoke-on-Trent and Haywards Heath. In 2006, its profit before tax was £77.5 million and its GWP was 688.3 million.

For more info contact:

JBA Public Relations (for RIAS)
James Bishop/Bea Sharples
Tel: 0208 875 5460
Email: james.bishop@jbapr.com or bea.sharples@jbapr.com