One or two rear fog lights - any research on which is bette?
Discussion
I've been involved in a discussion on another forum about the optimum number of rear fog lights.
I'm aware that EU legislation allows for either one or two rear fogs lights (and that our American cousins don't require any), and of the arguments on both sides, but my question is whether there has been any actual scientific research looking at whether - used correctly - cars are safer with one, or with two, rear fog lights.
Also, do the IAM/RoSPA/etc have any views on the matter?
I'm aware that EU legislation allows for either one or two rear fogs lights (and that our American cousins don't require any), and of the arguments on both sides, but my question is whether there has been any actual scientific research looking at whether - used correctly - cars are safer with one, or with two, rear fog lights.
Also, do the IAM/RoSPA/etc have any views on the matter?
Would it be possible to move the discussion, interesting as it is, to its own topic?
My question was about what hard, scientific evidence or research (if any) exists to show whether one or two rear fog lights is safer.
If there is none, would it not behove a road safety body (IAM? RoSPA? ABD?) to commission that research, rather than allow vehicle manufacturers to decide for themselves?
My question was about what hard, scientific evidence or research (if any) exists to show whether one or two rear fog lights is safer.
If there is none, would it not behove a road safety body (IAM? RoSPA? ABD?) to commission that research, rather than allow vehicle manufacturers to decide for themselves?
Sushifiend said:
My own BMW E46 came with only a single bulb holder despite having a fog light lens and reflector in each light cluster. I bought the missing bulb holder as a spare part for about £5 and wired it up from the other side. Now I have two working rear fog lights...
Sigh! Despite repeated requests, it appears impossible for people to either stay on topic, or to start their own thread about the merits of one or two rear fog lights! What's so difficult to understand, people?!@Sushifiend - what hard, scientific, peer-reviewed, quantitative evidence led you to modify your car in this way? Or did you just do so on a whim because you thought that it might be better, despite the possibility that it might actually compromise your safety?
So if you felt that the best way to get to your destination was by driving at 120mph all the way, while simultaneously texting your friends and undertaking any cars that got in your way, that's what you would do, despite the evidence to the contrary?
You don't need to lecture me in netiquette - I've been using Usenet since 1986 - and my original posting was very deliberately framed to say that I was already aware of the arguments on both sides of the divide.
What does surprise me is that people dissect and debate Roadcraft and the "system" in microscopic detail (some even write whole books on the subject), giving the rationale behind every tiny item therein, yet something which could potentially have a major effect on road safety appears to have no evidential basis behind it. It's left to the car manufacturers, and well-meaning amateurs who have read something on an internet forum about how they can just stick another bulb in their car, to decide whether to use one light or two.
I would have expected that a forum such as this - where most of the discussions centre on why we should do certain things - to have been interested in finding out what is the optimal number of rear fog lights.
You don't need to lecture me in netiquette - I've been using Usenet since 1986 - and my original posting was very deliberately framed to say that I was already aware of the arguments on both sides of the divide.
What does surprise me is that people dissect and debate Roadcraft and the "system" in microscopic detail (some even write whole books on the subject), giving the rationale behind every tiny item therein, yet something which could potentially have a major effect on road safety appears to have no evidential basis behind it. It's left to the car manufacturers, and well-meaning amateurs who have read something on an internet forum about how they can just stick another bulb in their car, to decide whether to use one light or two.
I would have expected that a forum such as this - where most of the discussions centre on why we should do certain things - to have been interested in finding out what is the optimal number of rear fog lights.
Thank you for the link. Shame that it costs $30 to obtain a copy of the paper.
Supplementary question: should those of us who belong to motoring organisations (IAM, RoSPA, ABD, etc) be lobbying them to request that the government implement legislation requiring vehicles to have two rear fog lights, based on the above research? After all, many millions are spent on other aspects of road safety, and this would be a (relatively) simple one to implement.
Supplementary question: should those of us who belong to motoring organisations (IAM, RoSPA, ABD, etc) be lobbying them to request that the government implement legislation requiring vehicles to have two rear fog lights, based on the above research? After all, many millions are spent on other aspects of road safety, and this would be a (relatively) simple one to implement.
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