Foglights -again, but differant

[pistol pete]

Driving back up the east cost of Scotland and across the M9 last night (about midnight), as with alot of places I suspect, there was a serious amount of Fog.

This is, I think, the first time I have ever found front fog lights a serious benefit to visability...

The question is though, is it legal to drive in the pitch dark, up the motorway with fogs on, but no headlights, as, even with dipped beam, pointing as low as possible, the reflection of the headlights in the fog was somewhat blinding to say the least. I also found that the light from oncoming car headlights was somewhat more distracting than normal due to the diffusion of light by the fog, therefore, this seemed light the most logical lighting to use at the term. -But, is it legal not to use headlights if that provides the best visability?

Pete.

[aww999]

As well as optimising your won view of the road, you need ot make it as easy as possible for other drivers to spot you. I think headlights would be visible from a greater distance than foglights in those circumstances.

As long as you don't choose to drive round only using crappy 3 watt sidelights its alright by me though!

[IPAddis]

The light switch on my Polo would not allow fogs on their own but would allow front fogs with sidelights for this reason (and for boy racers presumably).

Strangely, if you want the rear fogs on, you need to turn on the main beams as well. Odd.

Ian A.

[pistol pete]

Sorry, I ment fogs and sidelights. -I saw a number of other cars using this set up before i decided that it was a good idea, once I was sure that it was easier to see them that those cars using headlights-which you could see vaigly where they were very blurred due to the fog disipating the light.

Pete

[TJMurphy]

Volvo S60 lets you put front fog lights on with sidelights only - which requires turning off the DRLs! But, as is I think quite common now, you have to turn on the main lights before you can use the rear fog lights.
Also, the warning light for the front fogs is hidden on the switch but for the rears is on the switch and on the dashboard.
Is the lack of consistency in car switches indicative that there is in fact some grey areas in the rules?
I always thought the rules were clear, reduced visibility, only in conjunction with main headlamps etc but sometimes I wonder ...

[Getrag]

Yeah, it was good to see people being safety concious and using their fog lights, oh wait, they would have had then on already

It's the same when we get really heavy snow fall, or fat snow as we call it. With dipped beam its like a white wall infront of you and full beam is just silly.

[IanA]

Has the law re: front fog lights changed then???
When I was a lad it was only legal to use front fogs in actual fog or falling snow. I've seen people busted for using them in clear conditions.

[madcop]

You should have headlamps on in fog or seriously reduced visibility. To not do so could make you liable to at least a FPT.

[Miraz]

I've discovered that many cars turn off the rear fog light once the main (high) beam is engaged

Does anyone know the thinking behind this?

[mcecm]

Miraz said: I've discovered that many cars turn off the rear fog light once the main (high) beam is engaged

Does anyone know the thinking behind this?

Do you mean full beam?
If so then it's because you shouldn't have the two on together. In fog you should be on dipped headlights. If you've got full beam on then there shouldn't be fog around so you shouldn't have fog lights on. Guess this only works if you realise you shouldn't have full beam on in fog though

[mel]

Anyone noticed in EVO this month that the RS6 is pictured with side lights and front fogs on. I was just about to have my own little mini rant while sat on the thrown this morning when I realised it was actually foggy in the background of the photo.

[kevinday]

mcecm said:

Miraz said: I've discovered that many cars turn off the rear fog light once the main (high) beam is engaged

Does anyone know the thinking behind this?

Do you mean full beam?
If so then it's because you shouldn't have the two on together. In fog you should be on dipped headlights. If you've got full beam on then there shouldn't be fog around so you shouldn't have fog lights on. Guess this only works if you realise you shouldn't have full beam on in fog though

Correct, I think it is illegal to have fog lights on with main beam.

[whatever]

mel said: Anyone noticed in EVO this month that the RS6 is pictured with side lights and front fogs on. I was just about to have my own little mini rant while sat on the thrown this morning when I realised it was actually foggy in the background of the photo.

I had a similar rant a couple of weeks ago over the same pictures. I justified my rant by describing the conditions as "a bit misty" and not foggy. That made me feel much better and the rant could continue unabated.

[Miraz]

That makes sense - but the front fog lights stay on, only the rear lights get turned off with the main beam.

I tend use my rear fog light, if there is a lot of standing water on the road and the spray has reduced visibility significantly - if I use my main beam to improve forward visibility then I become nigh on invisible to anything approaching from behind....I only discovered this when a friend who was following me complained that the car just disappeared when I put the main beams on.