Front Fog lights - with dipped beams or without

[ecs0set]

3 days of constant fog in Poole and it was pretty dense this morning. Having consulted PH search, I'm still not sure about the use of front fog lights...

1) Use front fogs WITH dipped headlights. Highway code:
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).

2) Use front fogs WITHOUT dipped headlights (sidelights + front fogs). Road Vehicles lighting regulations ( http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regul...):
(2) The provisions of paragraph (1) [you must use dipped beams] do not apply–
[snip]
(ii)in seriously reduced visibility, a pair of front fog lamps which is so fitted that the outermost part of the illuminated area of each lamp in the pair is not more than 400 mm from the outer edge of the vehicle is kept lit

Front fog lights are mounted low down to avoid the issue of dipped beams reflecting back from the fog. However there is some suggestion that they have such short range, they are only useful at very low speeds (circa 10mph) to see the edges of roads.

Which is correct?

PS. I turn both front and rear off when sat in stationary traffic with cars in front and behind.

[SeeFive]

I only use rear fog lights on motorways / dc when I struggle to see the rear lights of cars a sensible distance ahead. Always switch them off when leaving the big quick roads into a town and traffic. Rarely use front fogs unless I can't see the edge of the road.

I had a long journey back from a distant gig, arriving home about 2am. Fog had been patchy, so I switched on the front fogs as it was very thick in the lanes close to home. I descended from the hills to where I lived, the fog thinned a bit and after meeting plod at a mini roundabout, I rolled onto the drive less than a minute later - followed by plod.

They asked if I knew I had my front fogs on - while sniffing the air for any trace of alcohol on my breath. There was none of course, but glad to see they were using any excuse to check for DDs

[doorman]

I find a majority of cars, won't allow use of fogs front/rear unless headlights are on. However, I do wish a great number of drivers were aware of Highway Code & Construction and Use Regulations, and not use front fogs at all unless conditions dictate. That is in my top 3 of HATES, Middle lane hogger's at number 1 and tail gating number 2.

[zed4]

I think you're supposed to use foglights with sidelights only when it's really foggy and dipped mean is just reflecting back in your face.

That's how I understood it.

But they never seemed to really be of any use anyway. None of my cars even have foglights now!

[anonymous-user]

Van doesnt have front fog lights, so only use dip beams.

You don't really need them in this weather (from poole myself)

Rear fogs on country lanes.

[MikeGTi]

My Mk6 Golf pisses me off a bit in that I can't put my rear fogs on without having my front fogs on - given that front fogs are pointless 99% of the time it's pretty irritating!

[SamR380]

I think fog lights have lost their way a bit. If they’re not mounted low enough they’re pretty pointless. Personally I’ve found them more useful in heavy snow, using fogs and sidelights reduces the ‘Millennium Falcon’ effect if you know what I mean…