Morons this morning with fog lights on

Wireless_2

Wig wrote: »

Yes it does matter, very often, foglights are brighter than brake lights, so much so, that on many cars you do not notice the brakes have been applied because the glare of the fogs drown out the brake lights.

I see you're qualifying Rear Fog Lights in your response. You do realise that Rear Fog Lights are no brighter than brake lights (21 Watts), and under Construction and Use Regs they have to be a minimum of 10cm (four inches), away from Brake Lights? I would suggest that if you cannot see Brake Lights being applied alongside Rear Fog Lights then you need to have your eyesight checked.

However, the idea, much like the idea of the flashing Rear Red Light on Formula 1 Racing Cars, is to allow you to see the vehicle in front in fog from a greater distance, allowing you time to react to the vehicle in front slowing down or stopping.

The reason why I don't think it matters enough to vent frustration on a forum like this is because it won't stop it happening, there will always be stupid people on the roads, and these stupid people won't be reading your comments on this forum.

Wig wrote: »

And in normal visibility fog lights can be so bright that they shine into the driver behind's eyes, this is made ten times worse when it is dark.

I would hope that all the rear lights on a vehicle in front are bright enough to be seen by the driver following behind, otherwise there would be no point is having lights fitted.

Wig wrote: »

I did not mention that later on in my journey on the same day, I was then blinded by another car when he also put his fogs on, they were extremely bright and extremely uncomfortable, that guy though turned them off after about 2 seconds....... I can only assume he had wanted to switch on his penis extension front fogs and flicked the switch too far and then realised his "mistake" and switched the rears off.

Ah yes, you see, now that you have lost your sight you shouldn't really be driving should you.

Wig wrote: »

I would make it mandatory to have the fog light switch on all cars on the first click switch on the rear fog lights and on the second click the front fogs. This would mean that people who want their penis extension front fogs will have do it in the knowledge that they are blinding the people behind them and suffer the consequences of having irate drivers behind them flashing full beams at them.

I'm not sure of the sequence for putting on my fog lights on the Citroen GC4P, but I think it's front on first, followed by the rears, and then the reverse order is used to switch them off. I've never used them, never had the occasion to use them.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

i had to open my gob on this thread didnt i. pulled this morning for pointing down at an officer with fogs on, was asked why i had gestured him, i said what type of gesture do you think i gave you, he said not a very nice one, i said i was only pointing out the fact you have your fogs on with no visability issues, he said you dont do that to a police officer, i asked why? he said its distracting and could of caused an accident, i said just like having your fogs on dazzling me coming up the road then? he threatened a public order ticket but let me off with a warning wich was nice of him, still didnt turn his fogs off though.

bigjl.

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

i had to open my gob on this thread didnt i. pulled this morning for pointing down at an officer with fogs on, was asked why i had gestured him, i said what type of gesture do you think i gave you, he said not a very nice one, i said i was only pointing out the fact you have your fogs on with no visability issues, he said you dont do that to a police officer, i asked why? he said its distracting and could of caused an accident, i said just like having your fogs on dazzling me coming up the road then? he threatened a public order ticket but let me off with a warning wich was nice of him, still didnt turn his fogs off though.

Why don't you just leave the policing to the police?

Do they come to your work and show you how to sweep up?

fivetide

Wireless wrote: »

I see you're qualifying Rear Fog Lights in your response. You do realise that Rear Fog Lights are no brighter than brake lights (21 Watts),

Yes but they are not designed to be on all the time. They are bright because they give a warning, having a fog light on all the time takes that away.

and under Construction and Use Regs they have to be a minimum of 10cm (four inches), away from Brake Lights?

That I didn't know. Someone should have told the chap that converted the second set of brakw lights on my FTO to fog lights that, they were next to each other. Never had an issue at MOT time though!

I would suggest that if you cannot see Brake Lights being applied alongside Rear Fog Lights then you need to have your eyesight checked.

Not really the point. They dazzle, as above they are designed to be bright, it isn't nice to follow them and I believe it is a non-endorsable fine from Plod. Rightly so too.

The only benefit is that they mark out drivers too unsure of themselves/unlikely to actually be making proper observation so you know to give them an extra wide berth.

However, the idea, much like the idea of the flashing Rear Red Light .

Be interesting. I bet studies have been done somewhere.

5t.

Strider590

Fit strobe lights to interior of car to indicate when you have fog lights on = nobody forgets to turn them off

warehouse

In 30+ years of driving I've only ever needed my rear fogs 2 times, though I do appreciate that some areas of the country suffer heavy fog worse than others.

As has already been mentioned in this thread, those with front or rear fogs on are simply showing us where the idiots are, and to avoid them. Much like when you see the same person popping up 3+ times in a thread they didn't create :hello:.

michaelvintner

davidlizard wrote: »

A pet hate of mine. "Fogwits" they are generally called around our way.

I must say that in 20 years of driving, I can probably count the number of times I have genuinely needed rear fog lights on one hand. Visibility is rarely that bad, and when it is, there is usually someone 20 yards or so behind who can see me perfectly well and does not need my rear fogs burning a hole in their retina.

These days people automatically put them on at the slightest hint of mist, then drive around for days on end afterwards having forgotten they were on. The other types are the chavs who think it looks cool to drive everywhere with the front fogs on.

I just treat these lights as a warning that the driver is probably incompetent.

Took the words right out of my mouth. They are called fog lights for a reason. They are for Fog. They are not called "Slightly Misty Lights" or "bit of heavy rain" lights.

Lum

michaelvintner wrote: »

Took the words right out of my mouth. They are called fog lights for a reason. They are for Fog. They are not called "Slightly Misty Lights" or "bit of heavy rain" lights.

Reminds me of a line from my old "Middle Lane Owners Club" website.

"Fog Lights should not be used unless there is snow, fog, hail, rain, light drizzle or cataracts. In these circumstances you must switch the fog light on. The only exception to this rule is if you are instructed to turn the fog light on by a matrix sign on the motorway, in these circumstances you must switch the fog light on even if it is clear."

atrixblue.-MFR-.

bigjl. wrote: »

Why don't you just leave the policing to the police?

Do they come to your work and show you how to sweep up?

as an officer who has to enforce RTA doesnt give them the right to brake it so willfully.

put this way if the shoe was on the other foot i'd be walking away with a £30 fine.

the area i live in the police pull for anything, even down to number plate bulbs out and you will drive off with a fine.

they serve the public as a member of the public i am entitled to voice my concerns to them and that was you have your fogs on just like i will tell another member of the public his tyre is flat or his reverse lights dont work or a lady has her skirt tucked into her knickers/thongs, or a paramedic he has missed my vein when puttin a line in and trying to flush saline into my hand (has happened many many time to me).

System

Wireless wrote: »

I see you're qualifying Rear Fog Lights in your response. You do realise that Rear Fog Lights are no brighter than brake lights (21 Watts)
......

Not 100% accurate.....

Yes on many cars the bulbs in the rear fog is the same 21 watts as the brake light. But, the major difference is that the fog light has the added benefit of a high quality reflector and a different red lense to focus the light output so that people following you in the fog can see the rear fog at a greater distance.