These huge pile ups have been happening for many years. Trouble is, one cannot know what to do when they run into a fog bank, slow down, drive off the road and stop, maintain speed? Any choice opens one up to a serious collision. A fix would be to promulgate a rule among all drivers as to what to do when encountering a fog bank. Stopping until it cleared up seems like a good idea.
And take your foot off the brake and turn off your lights! In that kind of fog (we have similar in Daly City) people behind you think you are on the road and moving otherwise.
Have you ever driven in a Tule fog? You'll be going about 45 in a light fog and then BAM a heavy curtain just drops on you - visibility goes to about 5 feet in 2 seconds. You can't even see the side of the road to pull over. Many people panic and slow way down. That's when it happens
Indeed. Back in the 70s a buddy of mine was driving up there and ran into a thick fog. He kept hearing a low "thud" and not knowing what it was, decided to pull over and wait, while others roared on by. People still kept their high speed despite the lack of visibility.
The "thuds" turned out to be collisions muffled by the fog.
Greyhound buses have had radar on them for many years now. I wonder how that’s working out for them. Using stereo speakers it should be possible to train your brain to see all around you through your ears. After airbags radar should be the next thing to add to cars.