FOG /SPOTLIGHTS ON

[gina32]

i got stopped by a policeman yesterday and he asked me to switch off my fog lights, although they are spot lights, i was told today that you can get 3 points for it if you dont, anyone had it happen to them?

[Count-A-Strong]

No. There you go!

[Hopkirk]

Front fog lights are usually on their own switch, not linked to other lights.

They may be low, but they do dazzle other road users.

It is one of my pet hates, so all power to the boys in blue for doing something about it.

In answer to your question, no it hasn't happened to me but I know of at least one person who has been stopped by the police for it.

[razza]

Perhaps not,but they are pointing out to you what could and should happen.

[moonraker558]

People who drive around with their fogs/spotlights on should get 6 points as well as a fine , they are inconsiderate and a danger to other roadusers

[joko]

if they didnt dazzle i doubt the police would have even noticed them...they do not generally sit round checking random lights unless theres an obvious problem... nor would they stop you if they caused no problems whatsoever....

[cazzz1975]

side lights would have done in misty dim conditions

[Toureman]

To answer your question, no it has not happened to me, not being a prat that upsets other motorists and breaks the law!

[Toureman]

To answer your question, no it has not happened to me not being a prat.

http://www.cwn.org.uk...010118-fog-lights.htm

Spot lights should only be used with headlamp main beams.

[AlBags]

Nope.

Fog and spot .. or driving lamps are different things.
Fog are very short range with very wide low beam. Can be used with side/dipped beam. Great for illuminating road immediately ahead and both verges.
Driving or Spot are longer range and narrower beam. Should be used only with main beam.
The use of either in a situation where (for fogs) there is good visibility, or Driving lamps (working independantly of main beam) will attract the feds attention .. especially when they have nothing else to do : )

[Coobeastie]

Always surprises me when people say they get dazzled by fog lights - rear ones maybe but fronts point towards the ground. When ever I've been dazzled by car lights on road its tended to be from ill-adjusted headlights, xenon/hid headlights or somebody running full beam and not bothering to switch back to main beam.

[Andyvon]

I'll answer your question Gina.

Perhaps nobody here has been cautioned for the same thing. What should be obvious to you however, is how irritating it is for other drivers when someone's driving with auxiliary lights switched on unnecessarily. It's fine to use auxiliary lights, but only in the appropriate conditions as the car manufacture intended. Spot lights and driving lights are superb on empty country roads where verges, bends, obstacles and distances are unclear. Fog lights are fine in thick fog - but not in mist! That's why the manufacturer has fitted those lights to your car.

There's no need to drive around town or in traffic with them on. Perhaps you feel you are increasing your visibilty Gina, but there's no need. Other drivers will be well aware of your presence. If you are driving in traffic on average roads then just use side lights or dipped headlights as the manufacturer intended. You'll be perfectly visible and you won't annoy other road users. Nor will you irritate the police.

[Hopkirk]

I once had a car with front fog lamps, and I disagree that they improve your view of the road ahead.

I found they illuminated the verges and the immediate road surface in front of the car. As a result I subconsiously moved most of my attention to the well lit area. As a result I found I was tending to concentrate less on the distance - the very area I needed to be most aware of.

I therefore stopped using them, even in thick fog as they did nothing to help.

[chas2008]

i would assume a £60 fixed penalty ,no points, are they factory fitted or been added ?
I have a 207 with factory fitted and they DO NOT dazzle anybody the beam is low and wide.

[gina32]

as i pointed out before, they are factory fitted. and albags i was the only one on the road and the copper was actually stood at the side of the road doing nothing but getting wet!

[annie0000]

No I haven't been stopped or warned for using them. I have only ever used them once when it has not been really foggy. That occaision was when I had only just got my new car and I switched the wrong set on by mistake and didn't recognise the difference in the symbol on my dashboard- that was only a local journey and I did rectify it as soon as I realised.

I think side lights are a bit of a waste of time - if it is sufficiently wet/dark/misty to warrant adding lights to aid visibility then that warrants using your headlights and as others have said there is no need to use your extra fog lights or spots unless the conditions are bad enough.

[Mobius1]

I don't think the fact there was nobody else on the road beside you and this copper is of any relevance really. Safety advice and warnings are given out by the Police as exactly that. What you're doing basically is questioning his advice. You got away with advice; you're lucky! The only reason you'd want to find other people who've had it happen to them would be to check the legitimacy of the officer's word.

The highway code you have been directed to says:

"You MUST NOT use ANY lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders."

This is a general rule in addition to the rule re fog lights. So, whether you feel these are fog lights or not is irrelevant. If a Police officer, in their judgement, feels that the lighting you're using on your car is inappropriate for the conditions and "potentially" in contradiction of this section of the Highway Code, then he can pull you up and have a word with you about it.

After reading all the replies, I'm interested to know what you'll take from it. I don't think any of them have given you the answer you've really been looking for but the real question is will you ignore the officer or not use them unless necessary in future?

[gina32]

someon mentioned the copper doing nothing and soneone mentioned being on the road aloner.

[gina32]

i asked a question and until i mentioned it again nobody said if they had been stopped for the same thing or not, i wasnt asking of the rights or wrongs of it, or any particular answer JUST ASKING!!!!!!! i wasnt questioning his advice at all. or rights and wrongs of it, just a simple question thats all!!!!!!