Fraser Valley Fog Near Abbotsford: What Helps at the Roadside

If your car fails in fog near Abbotsford, your biggest risk is not the car. It's the drivers behind you who can't see you. Put your hazards and low beams on. Then get off Highway 1 at the next exit if the car still moves. If it won't move, pull as far right as you can. If you're stuck in a live lane, stay buckled in and call 911.

When does fog hit Abbotsford?

Fall and early winter. Environment Canada's normals for the Abbotsford airport show fog on about 27 days a year. Most of those days come between September and January.

Month	Average fog days at the airport
September	About 4
October	About 5 or 6, the foggiest month
November	About 3
December	About 4
January	About 4
April to July	Under 1 a month

So right now, in October, is peak season. The airport sits about 4 km southwest of the city center, close to Highway 1. That's the same stretch many drivers use to get to work.

Fog days in December and January also tend to be cold ones. The airport drops to 0 C or colder on about 14 December days and about 12 January days. A foggy morning at the freezing mark can leave slick spots you can't see.

What does BC law say about lights in fog?

B.C.'s Motor Vehicle Act Regulations set a simple test. If you can't clearly see things on the road 150 meters ahead, your lights must be on. That counts in the middle of the day too.

Here's the catch many drivers miss. ICBC says daytime running lights don't turn on your tail lights. In fog, the car behind you may only see your dark rear end. Switch your headlights on by hand. Use low beams, not high beams. High beams bounce off fog and blind you.

Can I use my fog lights?

Yes, when they help. The rules let you use fog lamps instead of headlamps when fog makes headlamps a problem. ICBC adds that you shouldn't run fog lamps when the fog isn't hurting visibility, or when it's clear.

My car is acting up in the fog. Do I stop or keep going?

If the car still drives, keep rolling slowly to the next exit. Stopping on a foggy shoulder is the riskier choice. ICBC's advice for a breakdown is to aim for the nearest exit or service area. It also says to avoid stopping on a bridge.

On Highway 1, think in interchanges. Heading east, that's Mount Lehman, Clearbrook Road, McCallum Road and Sumas Way. Take the next one and find a side street or a lot.

1. Signal early. Drivers behind you see your blinker late in fog.
2. Hazards on as you slow. Brake gently so nobody runs up on you.
3. Pick a spot clear of traffic. ICBC says to stop where you're safe from traffic and not blocking the road.
4. Keep your lights on once you stop. Hazards plus low beams or parking lights, so you're seen from both ends.

If the engine dies and you can't reach an exit, pull right as far as you can. Don't stop just over a rise or right after a curve, if you have any choice.

How do I stay seen while I wait?

ICBC says to set out a warning triangle when visibility is limited. Only do it if you can walk there without stepping toward the lane. In thick fog, that's often not possible. Your hazards come first.

ICBC also says to stay with your vehicle. If you're on a narrow highway shoulder and can get out on the side away from traffic, wait near the car but well back from the lane. If you can't get out safely, stay in your seat with your belt on.

A few more things that help in fog:

• Keep the defroster running if the engine still works. You want to see the truck pull up.
• Wear something bright if you step out.
• Don't flag down strangers. If someone stops, ICBC says to ask them to drive on and call for you.

If anyone is hurt or your car is stopped in a live lane, call 911 first. Sentinel is not an emergency service.

What help do I need after a foggy breakdown?

Fog doesn't break cars, but it changes what happens next. Match your problem to the call:

• The car won't start after you sat with lights on. Running lights with the engine off drains a weak battery. Ask for a jump start.
• You slid onto the soft shoulder or a ditch edge. If you're stuck just off the road, a winch-out can pull you back out.
• The engine quit, smoked or made a bang. Get a tow to a shop or home.

Not sure which? Tell us what you heard and saw. That's enough to start.

How do I tell my driver where I am in fog?

In fog, your driver can't spot you from far off. Landmarks vanish too. Give clear words along with your phone's map pin:

• Which way you were headed. Eastbound toward Chilliwack or westbound toward Langley.
• The last interchange you passed. For example, "just east of McCallum Road."
• Shoulder, ramp or side street. Say which side of the road you're on.
• Your car's color and make. Gray and silver cars disappear in fog.

Off the highway, give the street and the nearest cross street. Out on the Sumas Prairie, the old lake bed south of Highway 1, roads look alike in fog. A road name plus a pin beats either one alone.

What should I expect when the truck pulls up?

You get your driver's name, photo and truck by text before they arrive. In fog, that matters. You can check it's the right truck before you open your door. You can also watch the truck on a map as it gets close.

Other drivers have a duty once the tow truck's lights are flashing. Under B.C.'s Slow Down, Move Over law, they slow to 70 km/h where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Where it's under 80, they slow to 40 km/h. On roads with more than one lane, they move over when it's safe. In fog, they may still see the lights late. Stay clear of the space between the two vehicles.

How does Sentinel work?

Sentinel Towing runs a roadside and towing network. We don't own trucks, and we have no Abbotsford office. A vetted local partner tow company does the job. We text you a locked price before anyone is sent. Then we check on you by text until help arrives. That's our Stay-With-You Promise. For other help around town, see our Abbotsford towing page.

Before you head out on a foggy morning, check DriveBC for closures. Do it before you drive, not at the wheel.

Stuck right now? Call 1-888-TOW-1213, or request help online.

Abbotsford Fog Questions

Rules change, so check the official source before you rely on it. Sources: Environment Canada climate normals, Abbotsford A, B.C. Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, Division 4, ICBC Learn to Drive Smart, ICBC emergency strategies, B.C. Slow Down, Move Over, DriveBC.