Ep. 55: Fog, Fire and Wind (Not My New Band Name) - The Extreme Weather Scenarios

Randy opens with a haunting memory: driving up to Big Bear one winter night, following the white fog line because it was the only thing visible in front of him. That's when he truly understood why they call it the fog line. This episode tackles three extreme weather conditions that don't get their own driver's handbook chapter—but should.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

FOG:
• Why high beams make fog worse, not better
• The fog line technique Randy used to navigate Big Bear
• The 710 Freeway Long Beach pileup story from his KNX traffic reporting days
• When to slow down (and when stopping is more dangerous)

WIND:
• Randy's white-knuckle I-10 crossing near Palm Springs wind farms
• Why semis flip and how to avoid being pushed into another lane
• The critical rule for towing in wind advisories
• Debris hazards you won't see coming

FIRE:
• Why smoke is as disorienting as fog—with health hazards
• When to turn off your car's recirculation system
• The half-tank rule for fire season

The common thread: limited visibility and rapid change. Randy explains why defensive driving skills matter most when nature reminds us it's stronger than our vehicles.

"Whether it's Earth, Wind, or Fire—your tires are the only thing that should be smokin'."

Chapters

• 0:00 Cold open
• 0:16 Intro
• 0:43 Fog
• 2:26 Wind
• 3:46 Fire
• 4:54 Wrap up
• 5:35 CTA

Transcript

This continues your Mastering the Commute series with a January “Weather Month” theme and blends useful safety advice with real-life stories, including SoCal fog experiences and a vivid Big Bear memory.

⸻

🎙 Episode 55: Fog, Wind, and Fire

Cold Open

You ever follow that white line on the right side of the road because it’s the only thing you can see in front of you? That’s called the fog line… and one night driving up Socal. Mountain roads, I realized why they call it that.

Intro

🎵 [Intro music]

Welcome back to Mastering the Commute—I’m Randy, your freeway traffic expert, and this is Episode 55—Fog, Wind, and Fire— not my new band name, but the latest in our “Weather Month” series for January.

Today we’re talking about three extreme conditions that don’t get their own chapter in the driver’s handbook—but they should. We’ll break down how fog, high wind, and fire conditions affect your commute, and how to drive smarter through all three.

Let’s start with the most surreal weather condition—fog.

⸻

Segment 1: Fog – Driving Blindfolded

I grew up in Los Angeles, and if you’ve ever lived in Southern California, you know about morning marine layer fog—especially near the coast.

But I’ll never forget a massive pileup on the 710 Freeway in Long Beach, back when I was doing traffic reports for KNX. It happened on my one day off that week—dozens of cars smashed together because no one could see more than 10 feet ahead.

Fog makes you feel like you’re driving with your eyes closed. That’s why:

Tips for Driving in Fog:

• Low beams only: High beams reflect off the fog and blind you further.

• Use the fog line: That solid white line on the right-hand side is your best guide. That’s exactly what I followed driving up to Big Bear one winter night—I hugged it like a lifeline, because I literally couldn’t see the center divide.

• Slow way down—but not too slow: Stay in motion, but reduce speed. Don’t stop on the freeway unless absolutely necessary.

• Hazard lights only if parked: Never drive with hazards on—they confuse other drivers.

And remember, never overtake in fog—you can’t see what’s ahead.

That 710 pileup really stuck with me because it wasn’t reckless driving — it was normal drivers doing normal things… until visibility collapsed. Cars were traveling at freeway speeds, then suddenly brake lights appeared ten feet in front of them. Chain reactions like that happen in seconds. Fog removes reaction time before you even realize it’s gone.

That’s why fog is so dangerous — it doesn’t feel dramatic. No rain, no noise, no warning. Just silence… and then impact.

⸻

Segment 2: Wind – Invisible but Dangerous

Wind doesn’t look like much on your weather app—but it can flip semis, toss debris, and push your car into another lane.

I remember white-knuckling it across I-10 near Palm Springs, where the wind farms are. They put those turbines there for a reason—gusts of 40 to 60 mph are common. It felt like I was dodging invisible potholes.

Tips for Driving in High Wind:

• Two hands on the wheel at all times, especially on bridges or overpasses.

• Slow down, especially in high-profile vehicles like vans, trucks, or RVs.

• Beware of debris: branches, trash bins, signs, even shopping carts can blow across highways.

• Avoid sudden lane changes: Let the wind pass before correcting.

And when they say “wind advisory,” especially for high‑profile vehicles, that’s not just legal language. Trucks and RVs really do get blown over — not because drivers are careless, but because wind hits the side of a vehicle like a moving wall. One sudden gust, one overcorrection, and gravity does the rest.

If you’re in a lighter car, you might feel a shove. If you’re in a taller vehicle, the rules change. And if you’re towing something—don’t drive in wind advisories. Ever.

⸻

Segment 3: Fire – Heat, Smoke, and Unpredictability

Driving near wildfires is terrifying. I’ve covered wildfires from the air, and I’ve driven through their aftermath — and I can tell you, driving near fires is nothing like watching them on the news. Smoke turns daylight into dusk. Ash covers lane markings. And traffic patterns change instantly as people panic or evacuate.

The most dangerous thing you can do around a fire is assume conditions are stable. Fires don’t behave logically — and neither do drivers near them.

Even if you’re not in direct danger, smoke is as disorienting as fog—with added health hazards.

Driving near fires:

• Avoid the area if at all possible: Use CalTrans or DOT apps to check for closures.

• Turn off recirculation: Let fresh air in to prevent smoke buildup inside your car.

• Don’t rubberneck: Fires can change direction. Stay alert, not curious.

• Watch for emergency vehicles and obey all detours—even if they seem roundabout.

And always, keep your tank at least half full during fire season. You never know when you’ll need to detour or evacuate.

⸻

Segment 4: Common Thread: Limited Visibility and Surprises

Fog, wind, and fire may seem unrelated—but the throughline is this: you can’t see clearly, and things change quickly.

Each of these conditions removes something you usually rely on — sight, predictability, or control. And when that happens, space becomes your only real defense.

In these moments, your defensive driving skills matter most. Be proactive. Watch others. Maintain space. Know your surroundings even before you’re in them.

And above all: respect nature. It’s stronger than your vehicle.

⸻

Outro

If there’s a weather condition you’ve dealt with that I didn’t cover today — or one you think deserves its own episode — email me. These episodes are always evolving based on real experiences.—email me at freewaytrafficexpert@gmail.com. I’d love to include your story in a future episode.

Follow me on Facebook, on YouTube, and at Mastering the Commute. Grab your free copy of my e-book Drive Smarter Now at DriveSmarterNow.com. For less than a cup of coffee, support our show and get access to behind the scenes content, only Patreon page.. patreon.com/drivesmarternow

And remember:

“Whether it’s Earth, Wind, or Fire—your tires are the only thing that should be smokin’.”

Drive safe, and I’ll see you in the next episode.