Whats the difference with the Spot lights and fog lights?

[Hayles]

I have just bought a new car ( from a ford fiesta basic, to e new electronic, computer on board thingy) my new car comes with, amongs other gadgets, front spot lights, they are lower than the main headlights, and are built into the lower bumper of the car. I would like to know how they could blind oncoming drivers, when they point towards the ground at a low level. I have noticed more and more cars with theirs on, and I find myself asking the same question "Why do manufacturers make cars with spot lights when it is "illegal" to use them???????

can somone please advise xx

[Skids]

If they're mounted low and point at the ground they'll be fog lights. They're illegal to use if its not foggy or its not raining hard.

[qapmoc]

Actually it should be for ''fog and falling snow'' only.

[dilligaf]

Correctly positioned spot lights should not blind oncoming motorists. As the name implies they are spot lights which shining a strong beam of light towards the ground / kerb to help when driving in snow or torretial rain. If used in fog the light will reflect back towards the driver.

Fog lights are for use in fog. They produce a wide beam which is supposed to penetrate fog.

I have been driving for many years and in my "boy racer" days in a Mini Cooper which had both spot and fog lights mounted on a bar in front . Looking back I think they were far less effective than the modern day headlight and would certainly not consider paying extra for them to be fitted to a new car.

Perhaps they are fitted to the modern car to please the "posers" who drive around at dusk and dawn or during the slightest rain shower to dazzle every other road user they meet..

I am not trying to be cynical but writing from experience and am awaiting all your comments.

Belated Happy New Year to you all.

[Grunty]

Sadly the law has been changed, and fog lights can now be used in "seriously reduced visibility". As we know in the real world, they were useful in the kind of impenetrable fog that we have not seen since the 1950s.

They are usually used for the same reason that someone may climb mountains "Because they are there".

[Toureman]

Comply with the law, they are only to be used if visibilty is under 100 yards. If you see a car with them on keep clear it will be driven by a pratt!