FOG LIGHTS

[le-frog]

Hi All
i know it is illegal to drive with front foglights on(unless under right conditions).
but i have heard that it can be a fine of upto £400 and 3 points..
just wondered if there is anybody that knows for a fact.

thanks

tom

[Buenchico]

'Driving without reasonable consideration for other persons' (as defined by Section 3ZA of the Road Safety Act 2006) is an offence under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. The penalties are the same as for 'driving without due care and attention'. That means that (unless there are very exceptional circumstances) a court MUST endorse a driver's licence with a minimum of 3 points. (A theoretical maximum of up to 9 points, or even an immediate driving ban is possible but extremely unlikely for simply forgetting to switch off either front or rear foglights). A court MAY also fine the driver, up to a maximum of £5000 and also impose costs, together with a £15 'victim surcharge'.

Chris

[wilkesneil]

by fog lights i presume they are yellow in colour.
The new cars are sold as having fog lights but are infact spot lights.
there is a difference...

[denis567]

I may be wrong but I have always thought that the ruling only applied to rear fog lights. Must dig out my Highway Code and check.

[Toureman]

It,s amazing how many so called drivers do not know the basics of driving laws!

Modern fog lights are not yellow, the newer ones are not spot lights because the beam does not focus on the road as a spot light would, they have a flat beam.

You are wrong denis, it applies to front and rear with the same penalties.

A lot of drivers have been charged with this offence.

[suzie1]

better stop using my fog light on my new white 09 reg range rover, i just like to pose, but its njot a good thing, we should rescpect other road users and the rabbits

[carlton23]

le-frog, have you ever been behind a vehicle with the fog lights on, especially when they brake and you also get bright red lights to blind you, .....taint much fun if you follow them for miles.

[oldhamfan]

Non-endorsable code T060 £30 fine.

[Electrochem]

As far as I'm aware it's as per the last answer.

As far as I can see, the use of foglights, particularly front ones, has become too widespread. They should not be used until the visibility is below 100 metres.

On the rare accasions that I have ever used my rear foglights, (I don't have, nor do I want front ones on either of my cars), IO have tuirned them off as soon as I have seen someone in my rear view mirror, as they have accheived their purpose. The slightest bit of fog now and people have them on for a week.

Just as bad are the morons who sit at traffic lights and junctions with their foot on the brake. It's OK if you do it for a few seconds, but think of the person behind you and use the handbrake. (if you don't have a mobile phone or cup of coffee in your hand).

As far as I am concerned, all the clowns who drive round with blue lights on the bonnet and other lights all around their vehicle should be pulled over by the police and made to remove them.

The same goes for those with inlated personalities who do not think that number plate regulations apply to them.

[ABerrant]

The question is in relation to the maximum penalty and the legally allowed court imposed maximum has been described within Chris's answer.

However, the policy of individual police forces may also allow constables to deal with such an offence by means of verbal warning or Fixed Penalty Notice.

[SurreyGuy]

My car has what the owners manual describes as "front driving lamps". They are rectangular in shape and fitted under the bumper.

I often use them (as instructed in said manual) on dark, unlit roads as their beam illuminates the sides of the road and the verges very well, whilst not dazzling oncoming drivers.

[le-frog]

i am 57 and believe it used to be in the highway code that spotlights & driving lamps are above the bumper & front fog light below.
i do believe tyhat it is annoying whether it is front or rear that are being used anytime by people with total disregard for other road users.
esspecially people who think that because they have a headlight out it is simpler to put the fogs on rather than fix the headlight.