Discussion
The weather conditions today (Somerset to Surrey in driving rain and local flooding), and ...
the idiots who didn't put their rear fog lights on, despite poor visibility (about 99.999%), and ...
the maniacs who didn't put any lights on at all!!!
What do you have to do to make these imbeciles think?
Streaky
sidekick said:
The ones I really love are the numpties who put their fog lights on in the pouring rain resulting in them becoming a red blur through the windscreen. Great for seeing their brakelights...NOT!
Believe it or not, but the Highway code has no problem with rear fog lights being used in the rain (obviously reduced visibility). As I always thought that they blinded people, when used in the rain, and should only be used in fog. Apparently not...!
jj
The clue's in the name really....
Thought - where would you stand if you went into the back of someone in thick fog, and it could be proved they didn't have rear fogs on? How can you keep your distance from the car in front if you can't see the bloody thing? I'm amazed at the number of people who don't even put their lights on in fog. Madness.
Thought - where would you stand if you went into the back of someone in thick fog, and it could be proved they didn't have rear fogs on? How can you keep your distance from the car in front if you can't see the bloody thing? I'm amazed at the number of people who don't even put their lights on in fog. Madness.
Rain and Fog are both reduced visibility conditions where it's helpful to use your rear foglights. However, they will dazzle someone who is behind you in a queue of traffic.
I think the most considerate thing to do is to put them on if there's no traffic immediately behind you. But turn them off if you're in a queue.
I think the most considerate thing to do is to put them on if there's no traffic immediately behind you. But turn them off if you're in a queue.
jj. said:
The ones I really love are the numpties who put their fog lights on in the pouring rain resulting in them becoming a red blur through the windscreen. Great for seeing their brakelights...NOT!
Believe it or not, but the Highway code has no problem with rear fog lights being used in the rain (obviously reduced visibility). As I always thought that they blinded people, when used in the rain, and should only be used in fog. Apparently not...!
jj
Strange...I remember a "Public Information Film" (for those old enough to remember such things) with Peter Purves (him off Blue Peter) blahing on about not using your fog lights when it's raining so as not to dazzle the poor sod behind. Obviously those at the Ministry of Propoganda hadn't head the HC either
sidekick said:
sidekick said:
The ones I really love are the numpties who put their fog lights on in the pouring rain resulting in them becoming a red blur through the windscreen. Great for seeing their brakelights...NOT!
Believe it or not, but the Highway code has no problem with rear fog lights being used in the rain (obviously reduced visibility). As I always thought that they blinded people, when used in the rain, and should only be used in fog. Apparently not...!
jj
Strange...I remember a "Public Information Film" (for those old enough to remember such things) with Peter Purves (him off Blue Peter) blahing on about not using your fog lights when it's raining so as not to dazzle the poor sod behind. Obviously those at the Ministry of Propoganda hadn't head the HC either
I try to make sure I don't adversely blind any other road user
I'll use rear fogs in heavy rain or fog if there is no sign of any car close behind, once I can see the whites of the drivers eyes (glowing red of course) I'll switch them off.
I quite agree with the problems of rear fog ligts dazzling the driver behind in any conditions of visibility, however one thing to think about is that the greater the distance behind the vehicle in front the less dazzled you will be. In itself it can provide a margin of safety.
As one measure of visibility, I tend to switch my rear fogs on when I can't see the rear side lights of the vehicle in front (fog, rain, spray, snow, etc.) at a 'safe' distance - a product of road and weather conditions and my consequent speed ... on the basis that if I can't see those lights, the driver behind can't see mine. I switch the lights off when traffic closes up or I am in a crawl or stationary traffic. I wish others were as considerate. Again I use as a measure, whether the lights in front are dazzling me.
The Highway Code indicates some visibilty distances, but I'd rather be wrong than be shunted up the rear by an idiot who thinks 80mph in driving rain and on roads with 1" of standing water is perfectly acceptable.
Streaky
As one measure of visibility, I tend to switch my rear fogs on when I can't see the rear side lights of the vehicle in front (fog, rain, spray, snow, etc.) at a 'safe' distance - a product of road and weather conditions and my consequent speed ... on the basis that if I can't see those lights, the driver behind can't see mine. I switch the lights off when traffic closes up or I am in a crawl or stationary traffic. I wish others were as considerate. Again I use as a measure, whether the lights in front are dazzling me.
The Highway Code indicates some visibilty distances, but I'd rather be wrong than be shunted up the rear by an idiot who thinks 80mph in driving rain and on roads with 1" of standing water is perfectly acceptable.
Streaky
streaky said:
I quite agree with the problems of rear fog ligts dazzling the driver behind in any conditions of visibility, however one thing to think about is that the greater the distance behind the vehicle in front the less dazzled you will be. In itself it can provide a margin of safety.
As one measure of visibility, I tend to switch my rear fogs on when I can't see the rear side lights of the vehicle in front (fog, rain, spray, snow, etc.) at a 'safe' distance - a product of road and weather conditions and my consequent speed ... on the basis that if I can't see those lights, the driver behind can't see mine. I switch the lights off when traffic closes up or I am in a crawl or stationary traffic. I wish others were as considerate. Again I use as a measure, whether the lights in front are dazzling me.
The Highway Code indicates some visibilty distances, but I'd rather be wrong than be shunted up the rear by an idiot who thinks 80mph in driving rain and on roads with 1" of standing water is perfectly acceptable.
Streaky
This is exactly the situation i use my rear fogs - i think its visability that you need to be aware of, not neccessarily fog.
If i can't see the car in front's lights AT A SAFE DISTANCE in adverse weather conditions, then i reason that others cannot see mine. So put my REAR fog on. Front fogs however, give little benefit IME in this situation and therefore (i think) should be left off.
Also i drive a low down dark green car - thats not good starting odds on a grey miserable day with lots of high spray being produced. Need all the help i can get!
In this type of weather condition you are supposed to increase your safe distance anyway, so this should lessen the glare off the raod or whatever.
I am amazed at how little rain has to fall on some motorways in this country before the spray becomes ridiculously bad - this is entirely a function of teh tarmacadam used and i have had a few arguements with highways engineers over this. Increase wearing course, decreasing safety IMO.
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