Fog lights

[emmay35]

I don't know if it's a local thing, but there are more and more cars around my way (Somerset) driving with their fog lights on when it's not foggy. Please, if you are one of these drivers, can you explain why? Not only is it dazzling, it's illegal too!

[kempie]

The simple explanation is that the drivers had put their foglights on when it was foggy and now remain blissfully unaware (despite a dashboard indicator) that they were never switched off.

This lack of awareness will persist until they

a) are told
b) are pulled over for 'incorrect use of foglights' (�1000 max. fine or a more likely �60 FPN)
c) put the car in for service/MOT.

[kempie]

...oh yes, in some circles it is also thought "cool" to use them as driving lamps.

[maggie01]

My husband always used to drive with the fog lights on. One day he forgot to turn them off and I used the car and got pulled over by the Police. I got a warning but they did me for speeding at the same time.

[Skids]

Yes, its illegal to use your fog lights if its not foggy or not driving rain. Yes, there's an extra set of lights on on the front of the oncoming car, but front fog lights are no more dazzling than the normal dipped beam from headlights. They project a short wide beam down at the ground, not into other drivers' faces.

Get over it.

[stanleyman]

It would be a happy world if all car lights were adjusted properly, sadly drivers who also use foglights wrongly are often the main culprits. Headlights are limited by law to 55 watts for good reason. The combined extra light from foglights even when properly adjusted makes it that more difficult to see especially for older drivers. Skids are you suggesting that the roads are only for those that can get over it?

[lady_p_gold]

I am not sure but did Emmay mean the rear fog lights because I disagree totally with skids, rear fog lights on when it is not foggy or raining certainly make it (for me at least) very difficult to concentrate as they are very bright and really annoy you.

[Loosehead]

The explanation is simple, there are 2 reasons:

1) They think it's helpful... or

2) They turned them on once and forgot to turn them off

fortunately the above are both covered by one simple explanation, they are plonkers, amply demonstrated by skids.

[gary baldy]

People who leave the rear fog light on are only guilty of being a bit dim (excuse the pun). People who put the front fog lights on (on purpose) are sadly deficient in other parts of their lives (mainly in the trouser department) and are screaming "Look at me - look at me'. Hopefully though most intelligent people will only look at them and think "what a plonker" - word from the wise boys, (cos it is mostly boys) it doesnt look cool! You just look silly!

[BenDToy]

Can I just point out that fog lights are NOT for use in the rain? In fact that is when they cause the maximum nuisance. They are for use only in fog or falling snow. Culprits are usually morons, as described so ably by gary baldy (good name by the way!) or dimwits who either don't know they are on, or think they are being helpful. Either way, I would recommend driving behind them with your headlights on full beam, or in front of them with your fog lights on. (Just a bit of fun, don't all get too excited please!!)

[gary baldy]

BenDtoy - on motorways with heavy rain and spray rear fog lights are essential- surprising how many people dont even put any lights on in rain never mind foglights. Also in very heavy driving rain it is some times better to put headlights on dip and put front fogs on - this lights up the road ahead and not just the sheet of rain in front of you. personal choice you understand - my current car doesnt even have front fogs.

[Electrochem]

As an aside, what I find equally frustrating is sitting behind a vehicle at trafiic lights or junctions, when hte driver hasn't heard of a handbrake. You the get dazzled, particularly in rain by an array of stop lights.

The point about lights in rain is a very valid one. The old maxim "wipers on, lights on" is a very valid one. This is not so that youcan see, but that you can be seen.

[Grunty]

Despite the debate, the answer is still in b) of kempie's first reply.

[emmay35]

Thank you all for your replies, I'm glad there are like minded people out there.

Skids, sorry if I pricked your conscience, you'll get over it ;-)

[ianess]

Front foglights are one thing but my pet bugbear is just why do rear fogs have to be the same wattage as brake lights?
Apologies to anyone I've unknowingly upset, but due to poor instrument layout my right forearm totally obscures the warning light. Maybe the manufacturers could position it better in the first place.

[Andy Boz]

Is emmay refering to rear fog lights or front ? For some reason fronts are now refered to in the motoring circles as 'driving' lights, presumably the owners can't drive without them on. There is however another type of motorist who drive with them on in the daylight hours, and in this case they are known (round here at least) as wancher lights, cos that's what the owners are.

Generally I am not bothered by front lights, but rear fogs can usually be stopped with a bit of main beam (driving a Transit helps me here) or shouting at the idiots.

If the police spent as much time telling people off for faulty lights as they do trying to collect fixed penalties for 2mph over the limit, then people would think twice about dodgy lights.

[emmay35]

I was referring to front fog lights.

[bigbubba]

Driving lights and fog lights are very very different things.

Fog lights are below 15 inches off the ground and project lights no more than 20 feet forward and also sidewards where as driving lights project light far far more forward than this and are above 15 inches off the ground.

It is illegal according to the highway code to use the fog lights in anything other than fog. Driving rain is not an acceptable condition for the use of either front or rear fog lights according to the letter of the law.

I hate it when you get boy racers that have their fog lights on and they say that they are driving lights.

[Coobeastie]

kempie...not all cars have a clearly visible dashboard indicator to tell that the fogs are on. Mine is part of the light switch itself which when driving is obscured by the steering wheel and arm.

Why is it presumed that the people think it makes them look cool.

If i'm driving down an unlit country road then i tend to utilise as much illumination as i can. With full beam and fogs on not only is the road ahead lit fully but also the nearest part of the road to the front of the bonnet plus the hedges to the sides. Very helpful in avoiding wildlife rather than just steamrolling over it.

If we are going to start moaning about dazzling people what about 4x4s. Had one pull up behind me the other day with its xenon lights at the level of my boot and shining directly into the car now that was dazzling.

Rear fogs are much worse.....(which do have a more obvious indicator light)

[kempie]

" ...not all cars have a clearly visible dashboard indicator to tell that the fogs are on. "

but you should know they are on because they illuminate the road differently to the headlights (as you describe when conserving wildlife in country lanes).

" Rear fogs are much worse.....(which do have a more obvious indicator light) "

Even if you allow for drivers to be unable to recognise the different lighting pattern with fogs on, it baffles me why front fogs can be illuminated without a requirement that the rear fog(s) should be already lit, thus ensuring a lit indicator lamp on the dash for all to see.

" Why is it presumed that the people think it makes them look cool. "

No presumption involved. The particular group to which I ascribed this behaviour will openly admit that it is to enhance their "street cred."

[sumpy]

i think the young kids thought it was cool driving around with the spots lights on because you blind the other drivers so they cant see their acne,yup sarcasm rules,