Dense Fog can lead to multi-vehicle pile ups.

Steve Lombardi

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Another reported death in December caused by dense fog.

Scott Nelson, 42, was transported to Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Iowa State Patrol. According to state troopers, a semi-tractor trailer driven by Kendall Tews, 45, of Palmer, Iowa, was eastbound on U.S. 20 at around 2:45 p.m. when it struck the rear of a car, causing both vehicles to go into the median. The semi's trailer skidded across the east lane of U.S. 20, blocking traffic. The fatality occurred when a fourth vehicle, driven by Nelson, approached the wreck at highway speed and struck the rear end of the semi trailer, according to state troopers. After this pile-up, about six or seven other cars swerved into a ditch to avoid the accident at the Fifth Avenue overpass near Epworth, according to accounts of drivers.

I've previously blogged about fog and comparative fault. The question previously posed was whether the at-fault driver can be excused claiming the thick fog created a sudden emergency. My answer then was no, and it's the same today. This fog is obvious the minute you drive out of your driveway and begin heading down the road. If knowing there is dense fog on the highway why would you enter the interstate and drive 65 mph when you can't see 100 feet to the front? Are you aware of how many feet per second a car travels at any given speed?

If you divide 5,280 feet by 3,600 seconds and then multiply the answer by the vehicles mph you'll have converted feet/per/second speed. A short hand way of doing it is to multiply your speed times 1.467. So a car traveling 30 mph is also traveling at 44 feet per second. One traveling 65 mph is traveling at 95.355 feet per second. Add in your reaction time and there is no way if you can't see 100 feet in front of you that you will be able to stop in time.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car Accidents.