Driving in Fog, Rain, and Adverse Weather
Reduce speed, increase following distance, use low beam headlights. Never use high beam in fog.
In fog or heavy rain: use low-beam headlights (not high beam), reduce speed significantly, increase following distance to 3+ seconds, and use hazard lights only if stopped.
Penalty Under Law
Causing accident in adverse weather through failure to adjust speed: Sec. 184 + Sec. 304A IPC/BNS.
Legal Source
MV Act Sec. 119, 184; CMVR Rule 103; MoRTH Winter Driving Advisory
What the Law Says
CMVR Rule 103 requires headlights to be on in poor visibility conditions including fog. Section 184 (dangerous driving) covers cases where a driver fails to adapt their speed and following distance to visibility conditions — even if their speed was within the posted limit. In dense fog (visibility below 30 metres), MoRTH advisories recommend a maximum speed of 30 km/h and use of front fog lights.
💡 Why This Rule Exists
North India's winter fog (particularly December–February in the Indo-Gangetic Plain) creates visibility as low as 5–10 metres, making normal highway speeds absolutely fatal. Fog causes chain pile-ups of 20–50 vehicles on the NH48 and NH44 every winter. High beam in fog creates "white-out" by reflecting off the water droplets — the driver sees nothing but white glare. Low beam or fog lights project light along the road surface.
Key Facts
- 1
Never use high beam in fog — it reflects and reduces visibility further.
- 2
Use front fog lights (yellow/white, low-mounted) if fitted.
- 3
Use rear fog light to make your vehicle visible from behind — turn off when fog lifts.
- 4
In dense fog: slow to 30 km/h or below. Pull over if visibility reaches 0.
- 5
3-second following rule: pick a fixed point; when the vehicle ahead passes it, you should not pass it for 3 seconds. In fog: increase to 6+ seconds.
- 6
NH48 (Delhi-Agra) and NH44 (Delhi-Amritsar) are India's most fog-dangerous highways in winter.
⚠️ Common Violations
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Using high beam in fog.
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Driving at highway speed in fog because "the road looks clear ahead."
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Stopping on the carriageway when fog becomes too dense (do this only on the hard shoulder).
Frequently Asked Questions
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More Special Conditions Rules
Night Driving Rules — Lights and Visibility
Headlights are mandatory from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise. High beams must be dipped when oncoming vehicles are within 200 metres. Hazard lights are not a substitute for headlights.
₹500–₹1,000 for driving without lights (Sec
Rules for Use of Horn
Horn use is prohibited in silence zones (hospitals, schools, courts). Multi-tone horns and air horns are illegal on private vehicles. The horn is a safety device — not a frustration-release tool.
₹1,000 under Sec
Towing Vehicles — Rules and Equipment
Towing requires a proper tow bar or approved connection. The towed vehicle's brake lights must be functional. Maximum speed while towing: 25 km/h (rope) or as per the vehicle's registration. Rope-towing on highways is prohibited.
₹500–₹1,000 for improper towing (Sec
Driving in Rain and Waterlogged Roads
In rain: reduce speed by 20–30%, double your following distance, use low-beam headlights (not hazard lights), and avoid waterlogged roads where you cannot see the road surface. Aquaplaning (tyres losing contact with the road) begins at as low as 60 km/h on standing water.
₹500 (Sec