Rear Fogs - correct use of...
Discussion
This topic will almost certainly have been mentioned before, but this mornings drive to work pushed me over the edge, so I'm ranting.
Why do I feel like I'm always the bloke stuck behind the pr*ck who doesn't really understand what their rear fogs are for. I think at best the weather could have been described as 'misty', but as soon as the light mist decended, the bloke in the escort put his rear fogs on. I knew he was there, I was driving behind him in a line of cars on an A road. What could his logic possibly have been? It's misty, perhaps I need to dazzle the bloke behind and make it harder for him to see when I'm braking.
I'm prepared to be shot down here but my understanding of what rear fogs are for are for real fog when you can't see the car behind. As soon as a car comes up behind you and you recognise that they have seen you, you switch them off and hope that they switch theirs on (if they can't see the car behind them). Driving behind someone with fogs on is a nightmare and far worse if it actually is foggy (when everything goes shades or red).
Am I the only person who uses their rear fogs in this way and who has a real problem with the logic of people who reach for the switch (and probably forget they're on at all for a few days) whenever it gets misty?
Why do I feel like I'm always the bloke stuck behind the pr*ck who doesn't really understand what their rear fogs are for. I think at best the weather could have been described as 'misty', but as soon as the light mist decended, the bloke in the escort put his rear fogs on. I knew he was there, I was driving behind him in a line of cars on an A road. What could his logic possibly have been? It's misty, perhaps I need to dazzle the bloke behind and make it harder for him to see when I'm braking.
I'm prepared to be shot down here but my understanding of what rear fogs are for are for real fog when you can't see the car behind. As soon as a car comes up behind you and you recognise that they have seen you, you switch them off and hope that they switch theirs on (if they can't see the car behind them). Driving behind someone with fogs on is a nightmare and far worse if it actually is foggy (when everything goes shades or red).
Am I the only person who uses their rear fogs in this way and who has a real problem with the logic of people who reach for the switch (and probably forget they're on at all for a few days) whenever it gets misty?
Fog lights are not just for use in fog. You can use them in heavy rain as well. I was at an Advanced Driving meeting once (IAM) and they confirmed this.
Highway code quote - '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'
Highway code quote - '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'
Sadly the Law doesn't say under what conditions you have to switch them off if visibility remains poor, but general driving etiquette would dictate that you switch them off when the following car is close enough to see you on normal lights. Most drivers seem to be blissfully unaware of their surroundings and I guess we will see fog lights on for a few more clear days yet.
The only semi-valid argument I've heard for keeping rear fogs on when being followed was that, if the following car was at a safe distance behind, then the lights wouldn't be dazzling them.
A good point, but I think I'll keep switching mine off.
Andy
The only semi-valid argument I've heard for keeping rear fogs on when being followed was that, if the following car was at a safe distance behind, then the lights wouldn't be dazzling them.
A good point, but I think I'll keep switching mine off.
Andy
vtecsilver said: Totally agree - I find the weather is rarely that bad to need the use of rear foglights. I also wonder why so many people need to drive around with front foglights on - generally in all weather conditions.
Couldn't agree more - although score one for the good guys: Sunday night, brother-in-law picks me and the missus up from the airport and we come back through town; cnut in an E-class has full beam and front fogs on. B-i-L flashes his rear fogs to drop the hint; fella behind ignores him. B-i-L gets pissed off. This=BAD for the bloke behind as B-i-L is a
who promptly gets out his warrant, stops next to the cnut in the queue for the lights, winds his window down, and reams him out for being incredibly inconsiderate, sir (sir in this case being spelt w-a-n-k-e-r) 
Sir promptly switches everything off except sidelights and looks suitably chastened 
[quoteHighway code quote - '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'
My understanding is that when the Highway Codes says 'MUST' then it is something that is backed up by law. When it isn't backed up then it says 'SHOULD'. I'm probably wrong though!
My understanding is that when the Highway Codes says 'MUST' then it is something that is backed up by law. When it isn't backed up then it says 'SHOULD'. I'm probably wrong though!
My understanding is that when the Highway Codes says 'MUST' then it is something that is backed up by law. When it isn't backed up then it says 'SHOULD'. I'm probably wrong though!
You're dead right - when the HC says MUST/MUST NOT it means it, i.e. there is a statute under which you commit an offence if you do/don't do whatever's being discussed.
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