Monday 5 October begins with a genuine visibility decision rather than a routine departure. The Met Office forecast for Esher shows fog at 05:00, 06:00 and 07:00, then mist at 08:00 before sunny intervals develop from around 09:00. The chance of rain remains below 5%, sunrise is at 07:09 and the afternoon may reach 23°C. That combination means the first journey can be much harder than the weather later in the day suggests.
Make visibility the departure gate
Do not use the clock as the signal to move. Before starting, clear the whole windscreen, every side window, both mirrors and the lights. A small letterbox of clear glass is not enough for junctions, cyclists, pedestrians or reversing. Use the vehicle's demister and air conditioning where fitted, remove exterior moisture, and wait until the glass stays clear rather than wiping one patch and driving immediately.
Check the view beyond the driveway as well. Fog can vary sharply between residential streets, open ground, river valleys and faster roads. If the view is not adequate for the route or speed, delay the journey, choose a safer alternative or wait in a safe place. A dry forecast does not cancel the need to drive to the distance you can actually see.
Use lights for the conditions, then switch them back
The Highway Code says drivers must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when they cannot see for more than 100 metres. Fog lights may be used when visibility is seriously reduced, but they must be switched off when visibility improves because they can dazzle other road users and obscure brake lights. Do not assume automatic daytime lights have illuminated the rear of the car.
Leave a larger gap than usual and keep speed low enough to stop within the distance you can see to be clear. Avoid following another vehicle's rear lights as a substitute for your own view. At junctions, take extra time to look and listen, especially during the school-run period when walkers, cyclists and vehicles may emerge from the fog with little visual warning.
Prepare for the brighter second half of the commute
Fog clearing into sunshine creates a second change in risk. Moisture and smears that were hard to notice before sunrise can become distracting glare once the sun appears. Keep washer fluid ready, make sure the wipers leave a clean sweep and place suitable sunglasses where they can be reached while parked. Adjust the sun visor before moving, not while approaching a junction.
The expected rise from a cool morning to a very warm afternoon also argues for layers rather than a heavily heated cabin. Before leaving work, repeat the glass and light check instead of assuming the car is still in its morning condition. A clear, dry return may feel simple, but low autumn sun can still reduce contrast and hide vulnerable road users.
Use Monday as a two-minute vehicle reset
While the car is stationary, make a short weekly check: look for obvious tyre damage, confirm the lights work, check fuel or charge for the planned route, and make sure nothing can roll into the pedal area. Secure bags and bottles, set the route before moving, and keep the phone out of hand. These small checks remove avoidable distractions from a morning already demanding more attention.
JUFO Monday roadside-prep pick
JUFO 3-in-1 Roadside Breakdown Kit - £17.95
This compact kit combines a high-visibility vest, folding warning triangle and car escape tool with window breaker and seatbelt cutter. Keep it secured and accessible, with every regular driver knowing its location before a journey begins.
Build margin into the first journey of the week
Fog makes rushing especially unhelpful. Add time for demisting, accept that traffic may move more slowly and avoid compensating for a late start with speed. If conditions improve quickly, keep the same measured routine until the road is clearly visible and the lights have been reset correctly.
This morning's practical sequence is simple: clear all glass, judge the real visibility, use the correct lights, increase the gap and carry a compact roadside kit in a known location. The day should become bright and warm, but the safest Monday starts with the conditions outside the windscreen now.
Sources: Met Office Esher hourly forecast; Met Office London and South East England forecast; The Highway Code: driving in adverse weather; The Highway Code: general driving rules.
