Fog Lights

[simpsonj]

My own personal favourite is when people have their fog lights on and nothing else. Just the fogs. In heaven's name, why?! Even fogs and sidelights is irritating enough...

[capncrunch]

I live in Cumbria and in winter it's DARK, damp and frequently foggy. Even so I've NEVER had the need to use the front fogs on my car - they dazzle, irritate oncoming traffic and do make you look a bit daft...

 

If they are dazzling and irritating then they are not correctly adjusted, Fog lights produce a narrow horizontal beam of light that should be cutting underneath the fog and across the road surface. Sounds like all you need to do is adjust them down.

[Batman]

Appealed, I'm not paying because an Officer decided he wasn't getting enough at home and decided the public should be ousted for it.

 

Still waiting to hear back from them.

 

There seem to be two types of Police Officers. Some are really conscientious, they're in the job to make a difference and do it to serve other people. I have friends and relatives who are or have been in the force and I have absolute respect for their reasons for doing it, and their attitude to the job.

 

But it seems like there are some who just do it because they want to wield some power... I wouldn't be surprised if your responses to his comments made it worse. You probably hurt his ego! He wasn't interested in being corrected.

[Gatt]

But it seems like there are some who just do it because they want to wield some power...

 

 

Aren't they known as PCSO's ??

[Guest theeldergeek]

I live in Cumbria and in winter it's DARK, damp and frequently foggy. Even so I've NEVER had the need to use the front fogs on my car - they dazzle, irritate oncoming traffic and do make you look a bit daft...

 

That's a sweeping statement.

 

Yes, they make you look daft if there is no fog, and you are driving with them on to make yourself somehow look more 'sporty' in your Vauxhall Corsa with a dustbin for an exhaust; but when you are driving on isolated country roads in poor visibility (such as I do to get to work) then they are quite essential.

 

It's quite simply about using them in a responsible manner.

 

As for dazzling, then they must be badly adjusted. Fog lights, when used in the correct conditions will not dazzle as the fog/mist will diffuse the light. They may dazzle in rain, because rain will refract the light.

 

Obviously a touchy subject for some judging by the responses.

 

Personally, if someone drives toward me with fog lamps on when they aren't needed, I will rapidly flash mine on and off as they approach to a) hopefully make them aware that their lights are on or b) it's my equivalent of a middle finger to them for trying to look cool in their Renault Scenic [1]

 

[1] This applies to any make/model of vehicle!

Edited December 11, 2009 by theeldergeek

[westleya]

If they are dazzling and irritating then they are not correctly adjusted, Fog lights produce a narrow horizontal beam of light that should be cutting underneath the fog and across the road surface. Sounds like all you need to do is adjust them down.

 

Nah, mine are correctly adjusted. My point is that I've never come across any situation in over 20 years of driving that actually warranted using them. A lot of immature people DO use them 'cos they think it looks cool.

 

On the way to work I drive through completely black countryside, and have to face oncoming traffic heading off to Sellafield. When half of these are using fog-lights it throws a lot of extra light in your face, correctly adjusted or not.

[machin05]

I thought the fog light restrictions only applied to the rear fogs? Can anyone confirm / deny?

[Guest theeldergeek]

Nah, mine are correctly adjusted. My point is that I've never come across any situation in over 20 years of driving that actually warranted using them. A lot of immature people DO use them 'cos they think it looks cool.

 

On the way to work I drive through completely black countryside, and have to face oncoming traffic heading off to Sellafield. When half of these are using fog-lights it throws a lot of extra light in your face, correctly adjusted or not.

 

If they are dazzling you, then they are being used inappropriately or are badly adjusted. Fog lights won't dazzle you when used in the correct conditions.

 

I think you are being a little narrow minded to think that it's only "immature people looking cool" who use them. I'm not immature, I'm certainly not cool, but I do use them when conditions warrant it, as they did this morning.

[ahuxham]

I thought the fog light restrictions only applied to the rear fogs? Can anyone confirm / deny?

 

Front and back. Have your back one on and your more than likely to get annihilated.

[Guest theeldergeek]

I thought the fog light restrictions only applied to the rear fogs? Can anyone confirm / deny?

 

Legislation states they are only to be used in conditions where visibility is serious impaired – generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet).

[westleya]

If they are dazzling you, then they are being used inappropriately or are badly adjusted. Fog lights won't dazzle you when used in the correct conditions.

 

I think you are being a little narrow minded to think that it's only "immature people looking cool" who use them. I'm not immature, I'm certainly not cool, but I do use them when conditions warrant it, as they did this morning.

 

I'm not being narrow-minded - read my post. I'm only talking about the large number of people who use them when it's just not necessary. Which is most of the time.

[Guest theeldergeek]

I'm not being narrow-minded - read my post. I'm only talking about the large number of people who use them when it's just not necessary. Which is most of the time.

 

Sorry, I thought you were referring to those who do use them in fog because they think it makes them look cool whereas you don't (and have never seen the need to) use them at all.

 

I hope that clarifies my statement?

[Andrew_C]

My own personal favourite is when people have their fog lights on and nothing else. Just the fogs. In heaven's name, why?!

Probably because their headlight lamps are blown and the are too stupid to change them... Which brings me neatly on to idiot that don't get their headlights fixed! Why? I know that some are a cow to change, (Mine from under the wheel arch!!) but if you can't do it, pay someone who can, or get off the road.

[capncrunch]

just playing devils advocate here but...

 

I don't think dipped beam would cover 100m. So in the pitch black of night it would in fact be legal to have fog lights on.

[Gatt]

Probably because their headlight lamps are blown and the are too stupid to change them... Which brings me neatly on to idiot that don't get their headlights fixed! Why? I know that some are a cow to change, (Mine from under the wheel arch!!) but if you can't do it, pay someone who can, or get off the road.

 

Which reminds me - One of mine have blown 0 and yeah its right under the soddding arch so will not be looking forward to changing it.. but then again I wouldn't start using my Full Beam or Fogs as a result

[ahuxham]

just playing devils advocate here but...

 

I don't think dipped beam would cover 100m. So in the pitch black of night it would in fact be legal to have fog lights on.

 

Glare if the road is wet is a nightmare though.

[Gatt]

Amazingly they are all probably automatic cars and yes I do exactly the same in my auto! Yes you can put it into nutral and put the handbrake on but for stop start traffic its a nightmare especially if you pass reverse before you hit drive especialy if the impatient person behind thinks your going to reverse at them and uses their horn.

If you stuck your full beam on behind me you would be on the receiving end of a mouthful!

 

It's a nightmare in a Manual - but I still put my handbrake on and take my foot off the brake so as not to dazzle the person behind me..

 

Sorry for being so curteous to other road users.... wont happen again

[SteveBentley]

Amazingly they are all probably automatic cars and yes I do exactly the same in my auto! Yes you can put it into nutral and put the handbrake on but for stop start traffic its a nightmare especially if you pass reverse before you hit drive especialy if the impatient person behind thinks your going to reverse at them and uses their horn.

 

Isn't every auto box laid out P R N D 2 1 so that you would only go through reverse if you were going into park rather than into neutral? Every auto I've ever driven has been like that.

[westleya]

Sorry, I thought you were referring to those who do use them in fog because they think it makes them look cool whereas you don't (and have never seen the need to) use them at all.

 

I hope that clarifies my statement?

 

It does. The trouble is, I seem to live in an area where literally every other person on the road has 'em switched on ! They're an odd bunch, up here.

[firefox_2006]

My car don't have fog lights ......oh wait a pointless light at the back that I can switch on and off to annoy people driving up my backside

[GREED]

I just get all the boy racers switching them on come rain shine fog day or night...

[capncrunch]

I just get all the boy racers switching them on come rain shine fog day or night...

 

haven't you heard? they are halfrauds special go faster fog lights.

 

Every extra light they have on adds 10bhp so those plus all the neons and leds means they are putting out about the same amount of power as a ferrari!

[CAM]

@Cap: Seen a rickshaw at Holborn Circus with neons. Does that count?

 

Back on topic, I get idiots in my area with fogs on in clear weather! About as annoying as main beam idiots who fill my mirrors with dazzling lights. There is a 4x4 driver on the A217 who does that with Xenon lamps.

[CHR1S]

It's a nightmare in a Manual - but I still put my handbrake on and take my foot off the brake so as not to dazzle the person behind me..

 

Sorry for being so curteous to other road users.... wont happen again

 

And bloody make sure it doesnt hehe

 

@SteveBentley

 

Do you know what, I dont know, thats quite bad! I never put it into N I always use my flappy paddles! lol

 

 

I will admit im a WUM today, its lazy I dont use my handbrake when I could be and it is for my convenience over others. You could try closing your eyes if your ever behind me?

[Arcath]

what i hate is the people who suddenly drop to 30 on all roads when it rains, yesterday there was some guy doing this and he had quite a queue behind him we got to straight so i went to over take him (i was the first car in queue) only to have to sound my horn so knows hes straddeling both lanes an i couldnt get past