main beam & fog lights on motorway 5221It is probably the case that the majority of people who drive round with their REAR fog lights on unnecessarily are not aware of the fact they are doing so. Even though there's a warning...
"Graculus" wrote in message
This seems to be a problem all over the country, but I think that part of the reason is poor driver training that should be put right by an advertising campaign. The current law relating to the use of front and rear foglights dates back to 1989, yet the 1991 edition of the HC only mentions that you shouldn't use rear foglights except in conditions of very poor visibility. The 1993 edition says you must not use foglights except in those conditions, but it wasn't spelt out as front and rear foglights until the 2001 edition (so far as I can tell). So older drivers may not be aware of the law.
Similarly, driving tests aren't carried out in conditions of poor visibility and until the theory test started it is quite likely that the use of foglights wasn't tested at all. However, I think many drivers treat them as some sort of fashion statement to show that their vehicle has these lights.
One of my cars has built in front fog lights and I only find them of any use at night in thick fog. In daytime fog conditions dipped headlights seem to be better at warning other drivers of my presence and the foglights don't illuminate anything I can't already see.
As front foglights are meant to show the road and road edges quite close to the car they should only be used when driving quite slowly. Otherwise they wouldn't light an obstruction in time for you to avoid it. So driving at 70 mph on a motorway with front or rear foglights on is wrong. In deed I don't think they are necessary if you can safely drive faster than about 30 mph.
Ian
