While driving through fog, rain, snow, or smoke, at what speed should you drive compared to the speed limit?

When driving in adverse weather conditions such as fog, rain, snow, or smoke, it is essential to adjust your speed to ensure safety. Reducing your speed by 5-10 mph below the speed limit strikes a balance between maintaining reasonable traffic flow and enhancing your control of the vehicle in challenging conditions. Lowering your speed allows for increased reaction times, improved visibility, and a greater ability to respond to sudden changes in the driving environment, which are critical factors in maintaining safety.

In fog, for example, visibility can be drastically reduced, making it necessary to drive slower to be able to react to obstacles or other vehicles. In rain or snow, the road surface can become slick, and driving too fast can lead to loss of traction or skidding. Therefore, a reduction of 5-10 mph is a prudent choice to help mitigate these risks while still being considerate of other road users. This approach acknowledges the importance of being adaptable in your driving behavior based on road and weather conditions.