There is currently persistent fog in the Klagenfurt Basin and even in the mountains of Central Carinthia. This not only means that drivers sometimes have to scrape off ice in the morning, but it also presents a number of dangers. As the ÖAMTC warns, fog greatly increases the risk of accidents. Not only should pedestrians dress warmly and take special care in traffic, but drivers can also ensure greater safety – among other things, by turning on the correct headlights.
“For several years now, all new vehicles have been equipped with automatic daytime running lights. “In cloudy weather, you should not let yourself be lulled into a false sense of security, because the rear often remains unlit when the daytime running lights are on – a dangerous situation,” warns Alexander Letitzki, lawyer at the ÖAMTC. Furthermore, daytime running lights are not a permitted alternative to dipped beam in poor lighting conditions, even with active rear lighting.
© Reader-Reporter / Lr Richard Buggelsheim
Some newer vehicles now have automatic low beam activation. But even with these, you should not rely on this function in fog, but rather turn on the light manually if necessary, explains the expert. Because this activation only reacts well when it gets significantly darker, such as when entering a tunnel or at dusk, says Letitzki: “In fog, the light sensors sometimes measure sufficient brightness, but poor visibility requires dipped headlights – so you have to actively go for the light switch.”
Penalty for incorrect use
As fog significantly limits visibility, drivers must also maintain a greater distance from other vehicles. In dense fog, you can also activate the headlights and rear fog lights. But here it is important to follow certain rules. Because if you use the rear fog lights incorrectly, you even run the risk of being fined. “Although front fog lights or wide headlights can be activated and deactivated at any time as needed, there are precisely defined usage regulations for rear fog lights. It can only be activated when visibility is impaired due to rain, snow, fog and the like, in order to be visible to traffic from a greater distance,” states the ÖAMTC. As soon as the vehicle behind you catches up to you, you will need to turn off the rear fog light so as not to blind the driver behind you. There is no obligation to use it.
According to the ÖAMTC, if you forget to turn off the rear fog light when visibility is good, an administrative penalty could result: “The upper limit of the penalty margin was only increased from 5,000 to 10,000 euros in 2022. This applies regardless of wrong lighting is used or no lighting is used. According to the club’s experience, in practice the fine will, in most cases, be between 30 and 60 euros.”
Fog on Lake Faak © reader-reporter / Lr Peter Waldhauser
Snow up the valleys
In addition to the fog, the Carinthians and East Tyroleans can expect rain and snow in the coming days, explains Martin Templin, meteorologist at the Ubimet meteorological service: “Friday will be winter. It will rain heavily at times until early in the morning and snow at higher altitudes. In the direction of the Karawanken, snow may fall briefly to the upper levels of the valley.” During the morning, the snowfall limit rises again to around 1000 meters.
Saturday will be cloudy and a little cooler. After the morning fog, a few hours of sunshine are possible this day. On Sunday it will get even colder and in Carinthia only daytime highs of 5 to 9 degrees can be expected, in East Tyrol it is 4 to 5 degrees, while 5 degrees below zero are expected at night and in the morning. It may be sunny again at times on Monday, says Templin.