Fog lights - visibility distance before you can use them?
Discussion
Quick question: what is the maximum visibility before you can turn them on? I thought it was 100m for front fogs and 50m for rear, but when having a B+E lesson the other day I was told it was 100m for both.
I had a quick look in the highway code, and it just implies 100m for fog lights. Can someone confirm?
Thanks.
I had a quick look in the highway code, and it just implies 100m for fog lights. Can someone confirm?
Thanks.
The Highway Code does indeed confirm 100 metres, it doesn't specify if that's front or rear so I assume it's both. A good rule of thumb is to use them if you need to (or are close to having to) reduce speed because it's foggy. If you can drive at normal speed it's not foggy enough to use them.
SS2. said:
Fogs are only permitted to be used when the conditions have resulted in seriously reduced visibility. As far as statute is concerned, I don't think that 'seriously reduced visibility' is defined in terms of specific distances.
Regs here..
Agree with the above totally.Regs here..
imo whilst it could be theoretically easier to have a defined number encoded, and thus potentially introduce it as a binary offence, there could be situations where visibility is very reduced, say 50m, but the situation where, say, rear fog lights being used would be completely inappropriate and cause dazzle to a following driver, eg slow moving traffic in town. Just one example.
Thus I'm not particularly in favour of using a number rule but use common sense, however 100m on a motorway more or less equates to the official DSA stopping distance at 70mph. So for my purposes when visibility is approaching 100-200m, ie I can't see two 100m marker posts, then that is the time to consider noticeably pegging it back and if nobody behind keep a watch when to switch rear fogs on and off.
Pretty much don't use front fogs, useless pointless things except in night time 15mph max pea-soupers imho. Similar day time visibility might use them to shine under the fog and give increased visibility of me by others.
Distant said:
The Highway Code does indeed confirm 100 metres.
I read the HC differently ...Highway Code said:
226 You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet).
You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves (see Rule 236).
236 You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226) as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.
StreakyYou may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves (see Rule 236).
236 You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226) as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.
Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure where I got the numbers from, just something I remember reading. It's interesting to see the official regulations, which was exactly what I was after.
Incidentally, I can think of very few occasions when I have had to use fog lights. But that is a topic which has been discussed on here once or twice before, along with the front fog light brigade.
Incidentally, I can think of very few occasions when I have had to use fog lights. But that is a topic which has been discussed on here once or twice before, along with the front fog light brigade.
BoRED S2upid said:
I wouldn't worry so much as this is the last thing the police bother to stop anyone for, the number of idiots on the road with these on all the time is rediculous. I was following a police car the other day who ignored someone coming the other way with them on.
I watched as a traffic police car drove along behind a very modern car with old style black and white number plates (illegal on cars registered after 1973 I believe) and ignored what was right under his nose. He wasn't waiting to pull him 'cos the traffic car turned off leaving the offender to proceed. Of course is was cold and wet outside the car...motco said:
I watched as a traffic police car drove along behind a very modern car with old style black and white number plates (illegal on cars registered after 1973 I believe) and ignored what was right under his nose. He wasn't waiting to pull him 'cos the traffic car turned off leaving the offender to proceed. Of course is was cold and wet outside the car...
Was the officer on general patrol or tasked to a specific operation or job?
my front fog lights switch on before the rear one does.
king fogs are blinding you.
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