How does poor visibility affect driver reaction time in adverse conditions?

Poor visibility significantly lengthens driver reaction time in adverse conditions. When drivers cannot see clearly due to factors like fog, rain, or darkness, they have less time to perceive potential hazards, assess the situation, and make informed decisions. This impaired visibility leads to delayed recognition of obstacles or other vehicles, resulting in an increased response time to react appropriately, such as braking or maneuvering.

In adverse conditions, the broader challenge is that drivers may not be aware of dangers as early as they would be in clear conditions. By the time they do notice an issue, their available time to react is diminished. Thus, the inherent relationship between visibility and reaction time underscores the critical importance of adapting driving behavior according to the environmental conditions present, making drivers more cautious and allowing for additional time to respond to the unexpected.