Discussion
Chris D said:
There is an ever increasing use of fag-lamps (esp. front fogs) as a fashion accessory.
Such use, unless under specific conditions, is illegal.
Any views?
On the one hand fog light use is a rarely enforced law,
on the other hand, I use front fogs on clear days quite a lot.
It's surprising how many folks drive in a daydream.
It's getting to the stage now where I put dipped ordinary
lights on as standard when on the motorway.
Either that or my car's got special invisible paint on.
My view?
Yes, it is illegal.
Yes, it is irritating.
Yes, it can be dazzling.
But for some reason it is "cool" and "sporty", so people will continue to do it.
Utterly pointless things. Had some on my Rover 25 that I owned for 2.5 years. Only thing I ever used them for was flashing at people who had their foglamps on and were dazzling me
No, correct that, they were good on country lanes at night as they illuminated the verge very well up close - pain to switch them off with the main beam when a car came the other way though.
I have never personally been in a situation where foglamps helped. Would rather have some spots linked to main beam for night driving.
Maybe if a few more FPNs got handed out, or an ad campaign on how it is dangerous and can dazzle. But then again, xenons can be as bad...
Was followed today by a middle aged bloke in an e36 coupe with fogs and not even sidelights (must have bypassed the switch
) - the weather? Gorgeous spring day! 
Can't deny he looked sooooo cool though!
Yes, it is illegal.
Yes, it is irritating.
Yes, it can be dazzling.
But for some reason it is "cool" and "sporty", so people will continue to do it.
Utterly pointless things. Had some on my Rover 25 that I owned for 2.5 years. Only thing I ever used them for was flashing at people who had their foglamps on and were dazzling me
No, correct that, they were good on country lanes at night as they illuminated the verge very well up close - pain to switch them off with the main beam when a car came the other way though.
I have never personally been in a situation where foglamps helped. Would rather have some spots linked to main beam for night driving.
Maybe if a few more FPNs got handed out, or an ad campaign on how it is dangerous and can dazzle. But then again, xenons can be as bad...
Was followed today by a middle aged bloke in an e36 coupe with fogs and not even sidelights (must have bypassed the switch
) - the weather? Gorgeous spring day! Can't deny he looked sooooo cool though! Well it's been done on here a few times but as yer new on here then I'll add some of my views 
Imo it seems that's usage recently has fallen considerably. What's amazing is that I always thought that this was a chav characteristic but it seems that it's just as common with mums in people carriers. It seems that manufacturers see them as a bit of a nice feature putting them on higher spec cars so perhaps promoting their use?
As for dazzling other road users... Generally I think the factory fitted ones don't dazzle but I've seen some that do (especially on inclines), they should point downwards but are not directional. What's amazing is the people that like to show them off by using only sidelights and front fogs.
If I was plod, I'd prob take it as a bit of an indicator that the driver is a numpty.
Imo it seems that's usage recently has fallen considerably. What's amazing is that I always thought that this was a chav characteristic but it seems that it's just as common with mums in people carriers. It seems that manufacturers see them as a bit of a nice feature putting them on higher spec cars so perhaps promoting their use?
As for dazzling other road users... Generally I think the factory fitted ones don't dazzle but I've seen some that do (especially on inclines), they should point downwards but are not directional. What's amazing is the people that like to show them off by using only sidelights and front fogs.
If I was plod, I'd prob take it as a bit of an indicator that the driver is a numpty.
Glad to see so many 'positive' postings re this subject.
I'm sure that may change.
Two references were made to the types of persons who use them. I will try and avoid 'sexist' comments - only because it's more than my jobs worth!! But those groups are as the following: 'chavs' and 'some' who haven't got a clue about their switchgear
. The latter group tend to get a verbal 'doh' slap. The chavs get the ticket. 9 times out of ten, they are committing other offences too. 
I'm sure that may change.
Two references were made to the types of persons who use them. I will try and avoid 'sexist' comments - only because it's more than my jobs worth!! But those groups are as the following: 'chavs' and 'some' who haven't got a clue about their switchgear
. The latter group tend to get a verbal 'doh' slap. The chavs get the ticket. 9 times out of ten, they are committing other offences too. Interestingly (or not ..) i was watching the Sweeney on Freeview men and motors last night and their Consul had it's fog lights on in broad daylight .. was that a police-use in the 70's ? if not it would seem to indicate that fog lights in daylight and no fog is not a modern phnomenon.
trackcar said:
Interestingly (or not ..) i was watching the Sweeney on Freeview men and motors last night and their Consul had it's fog lights on in broad daylight .. was that a police-use in the 70's ? if not it would seem to indicate that fog lights in daylight and no fog is not a modern phnomenon.
But they were the Sweeney and, as they said "We haven't had any breakfast"!!
The other modern phenomenon - which perhaps hasn't changed since the 70's either - is the amount of people who haven't got a clue about Lighting Regs. or the Highway Code for that matter.
The number of muppets who drive along a 40mph+ road during lighting up times with only side lights on! That includes motorways. Add the fog-lamp problem to that scenario, and you've got a real plonker.
It also occurs to meet that when you see these chavs with foglights on when they shouldn't be, they are exactly the sort who won't have them on when they should.
My most recent hate - or puzzlement - is the person who puts on their FOG lamps when it RAINS! I must admit to having asked numerous offenders "How do you spell fog?" Not surprisingly they give me a blank look!!!
The number of muppets who drive along a 40mph+ road during lighting up times with only side lights on! That includes motorways. Add the fog-lamp problem to that scenario, and you've got a real plonker.
It also occurs to meet that when you see these chavs with foglights on when they shouldn't be, they are exactly the sort who won't have them on when they should.
My most recent hate - or puzzlement - is the person who puts on their FOG lamps when it RAINS! I must admit to having asked numerous offenders "How do you spell fog?" Not surprisingly they give me a blank look!!!
Chris D said:
Interestingly (or not ..) i was watching the Sweeney on Freeview men and motors last night and their Consul had it's fog lights on in broad daylight .. was that a police-use in the 70's ? if not it would seem to indicate that fog lights in daylight and no fog is not a modern phnomenon.
But they were the Sweeney and, as they said "We haven't had any breakfast"!!
and despite being called Jack and George, no-one would deny those boys weren't as cool as fooooook
trackcar said:
Interestingly (or not ..) i was watching the Sweeney on Freeview men and motors last night and their Consul had it's fog lights on in broad daylight .. was that a police-use in the 70's ? if not it would seem to indicate that fog lights in daylight and no fog is not a modern phnomenon.
Police Cars in Italy are often driven with all lights on (including front Fogs) even in the daytime, AFAIK foglight (ab)use is not an offence there either.
Personally, although I don't think I have ever used my foglights, people using front fogs doesn't bother me unless it's instead of headlights at night, but rear foglights can be annoying.
And I'd rather see foglights on than the seemingly growing numbers of cars with only 1 working headlight.
catso said:
Interestingly (or not ..) i was watching the Sweeney on Freeview men and motors last night and their Consul had it's fog lights on in broad daylight .. was that a police-use in the 70's ? if not it would seem to indicate that fog lights in daylight and no fog is not a modern phnomenon.
Police Cars in Italy are often driven with all lights on (including front Fogs) even in the daytime, AFAIK foglight (ab)use is not an offence there either.
Personally, although I don't think I have ever used my foglights, people using front fogs doesn't bother me unless it's instead of headlights at night, but rear foglights can be annoying.
And I'd rather see foglights on than the seemingly growing numbers of cars with only 1 working headlight.
Catso,
Although we've discussed the fact that fog-lights are primarily a pain, it's not because it's a chav or an idiot behind the wheel. It's because it's illegal under the lighting regs for a reason viz. their very purpose and design. Unlike headlamps, which are directed to the hedges to light the side of the road, fog lamps go straight forward consequently 'blind' all around them. Use in rain conditions multiplies that effect as the light bounces off the road - due to the low position of the lamps.
catso said:
[quote=trackcar]...And I'd rather see foglights on than the seemingly growing numbers of cars with only 1 working headlight.
This is something that is really annoying, don't people check their headlights are working any more???
Saw at least four plus cars with only one headlight working. Mostly newer cars as well. Any ideas why??
Paddy
Chris D said:
Unlike headlamps, which are directed to the hedges to light the side of the road, fog lamps go straight forward consequently 'blind' all around them.
But foggies point downwards so shouldn't really dazzle, obviously going over the top of a hill might dazzle but then again so can dipped lights whilst going round a bend. I'm not defending people using them as I think they're nobs.
paddy27 said:
[quote=trackcar]...And I'd rather see foglights on than the seemingly growing numbers of cars with only 1 working headlight.
This is something that is really annoying, don't people check their headlights are working any more???
Saw at least four plus cars with only one headlight working. Mostly newer cars as well. Any ideas why??
Paddy
Probably because on a lot of modern cars changing a headlamp bulb is an hours job at the main dealers, not 5 minutes at the side of the road. I think this is all due to the French though. Their law states you must carry a set of spare bulbs, it just doesn't say you must fit one when a bulb on the car goes (I suppose if you did, you'd then be breaking the law as you would no longer be carrying a spare set of bulbs, only part of a set!)
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