Safe Speed Forums

OK, we've all seen it. T**ts driving around with the front fogs on as a fashion statement. Annoying but one of those "ah, whatever" things. But REAR fogs permanently lit. Are they blind? That little symbol on your dash means you're hacking off every road user behind you. Are they misguided into thinking it'll protect them somehow? What is your standard response to encourage these idiots to switch it off?

I replied with the pass them then flash your fogs at them, because that is what I used to do, but I have pretty much given up because I could never tell whether they got the message or not - might have thought that it was brake lights; they probably drive around wondering why everybody keeps braking unecessarily in front of them. And of course these days it is virtually impossible to overtake unless on a motorway or DC.

Then of course there is the other lot - the I always put my front fog lights on drivers. "Because I can see better" is the reason they say, but aside from additional dazzle, the extra illumination is minimal.

I will flash fogs if it's a "low hazard density" situation, other wise not bother. Flash front fogs at oncoming traffic too (exception when it's an idiot with only one working headlight, although they should really be carrying spare lights this at least confirms that they are a car and not a bike).

Mind you, it never works. Remember pulling up next to a 'lady' in a micra, informed them about the foglights in person, they say thanks with all appearence of sincerity, and then drive off with it still on

I went for the "road rage option"... The clueless individuals who drive round utterly unaware that everyone behind them is being blinded - especially in the rain where high-intensity fogs do such a super job of hiding brake lights - wouldn't have the slightest idea what everyone was flashing or waving about. They need "executive action" to get it through to them!

In my opinion, for the minimal good they do in fog compared to the stunning levels of misuse, high-intensity fogs are one of the worst "improvements" I've seen in car lighting in 40 years.

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"Politicians are the same the world over... We build bridges where there aren't any rivers." - Nikita Kruschev

Yay, a like minded soul.

For the couple of hours every five years that fog lamps are actually needed they cause an excessive ammount of inconvenience the rest of the time.

Lets go back to the days when rear fogs were an optional accessory which you only fitted if you had a clue what to do with them. In fact do we even need them? Since everywhere went smokeless we don't get good old peasoupers any more.

I do a combination depending on circumstances. Usually start with a flash of main beam from behind. If I am passing then I'll try hazards after if the driver looks like they might have a clue, which they usually don't. If I'm a passenger then I might even wind the window down and yell at them , OK only kidding but I'll point at the back of the car.

If I'm stuck behind then there's nothing much to do but drop back to minimise the dazzle. More than a couple of rounds of headlamp flashes is pretty futile.

You do get the occasional occurrance of foglamps bein on by accident. The Ford Escorts we had at work had the foglamp switch neatly positioned by my right knee and to make it worse the warning lamp was a tiny effort on the switch. Would I be if I had removed the fuse?

I voted for 'do nothing'. In the past I used to get worked up about all sorts of things on the road, and I'm not saying nothing winds me up, but I'm much calmer now. Therefore I don't bother trying to get the muppets to turn their fogs off. Simple reason is they often haven't got a clue, and when I used to try and make them aware it never worked. Plus you never know if you get a nutter who thinks you being aggressive and takes his anger out on you. Therefore I try to pass if possible, if not I'll just put up with it.

Likewise Capri - found it a waste of time /sometimes provokes road rage - always think back to day i stopped behind a taxi driver in a MK2 cavalier and told him that his fog lights were on.Reply was " i know mate, can't find switch" .Nowadays - i wouldn't bother , probably get abuse.

Voted to carry on/overtake and continue on my way. When this scenario happens in traffic however, I will tell the driver if the opportunity arises. It's much easier on the bike 'cos you can always get close enough to knock on a window.

On one occasion the driver just looked confused and then started searching for the switch which was high on the dash on the right hand side. I just reached in the window and turned it off for them.

I also tell car/van drivers if they have blown tail lights/brake lights etc The usual response is "ok, thanks", but I do get the occasional "I know" . It's rare for drivers to get upset, but I often wonder if they'll actually bother to get it fixed now they know.

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Less Kodak, more Kojak.
In times of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

It is one of my pet hates and I give tickets out on the second warning I gave 20 out in one night,and I heard twnty different excuses about why they were on. I now know the ones that have had a ticket for this as they see you approach they switch them off then a bit up the road they switch them back on again.

Stephen

Glad to hear at least some BiBs talking to these idiots about having they fogs on for a wisp of cloud on the horizon.


So having the desired effect?


Apparently not. WTH are they switching them back on for? Stephen, are you talking about the "I paid for my cool fog lights so I'm damn well going to have them switched on" brigade?

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Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Einstein

What they said!

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CSCP Latin for beginners...
Ticketo ergo sum : I scam therefore I am!

I assume you are talking about front fog lamps here.

On my car, and a number of others from the same manufacturer, the fog lamps (and they are fog lamps) are incorparated into the main headlamp cluster. I have to refer to the manual to find which bulb is which and what I had assumed to be the foglamp is in fact the dipped beam so how would you know when I am driving toward you. And if you can't then don't you feel guilty for prosecuting those who have the misfortune to have separate foglamps?

On a previous car I used to often use the front foglamps on unlit roads because the dipped beam was so poor (a well known problem with that model). I would often turn them off for an approaching vehicle, just as well I didn't meet you eh?

There are very few if any these days that have fog lamps fitted into the healight cluster as they have to be seperate and conform to BS standards you have also got to be able to see the idntification mark which tells you what in fact the light is designed for as every lamp fitted to a car has this enscription if not then they dont comply with the regulations.

Fog lamps in my opinion do not light up the road ahead they are designed to give right to left spread to show things like footpath etc so do no not have a sufficient forward spread.

Last of all I do listen to what you have to say then ask my own questions and do my own checks before any decision / action is taken,there is no excuse for driving with fog lamps on in good visibility,no doubt someone will disagree.

Also a lot of cars have a self cancelling mode built in so when the ignition is switched off they fog lamps cancel then when strated again the driver has to re switch them on.
Stephen

As the originator of this poll about rear fog lights I read with interest



It's good to know there is not summary execution dished out and that excuses are listened too. If you've ever driven an Omega with standard headlights....dire.

As a side issue, is it actually illegal to use front fogs without impaired visibility? Or should those who use them to top up pitiful dips drive around with full beam on - which again, not sure of legality - as it's just damn inconciderate!

That sounds like a sensible arrangement, but our Peugeot 406 is not like that. On our model (W reg.) you can leave the front fog lights switch in the 'ON' position, which means the front foglights come on every time you switch on the sidelights. That might explain why so many Peugeots of that age seem to run about with the wretched fog lamps on all the time.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

You want a list?

Mine is a Peugeot 807, a number of other Pugs and Citroens have the same setup. One lens unit contains bulbs for dipped beam, main beam and foglamps.

They are foglamps because they don't meet the criteria for anything else, and a little foglamp light comes up on the dash when I switch them on.

They are not adittional driving lamps because they come on in conjunction with the dipped beam (or sidelights).



I agree, in which case though, what is the problem with people using them? Or is it a case of [judge Dread mode]it's the law[/judge Dread mode]

I’m talking rear fogs. Most of my time driving is at night and most of it is on motorways. After long runs (3 hours) your eyes become weary from people who have their headlights set to high. If that’s not enough you then get those drivers who put their hazard lights on for the slightest reason. I’ve tried most things and I’ve now reverted to flashing my full beam, some times holding it on for longer. I’ve even seen drivers make an assertive effort to pull over from one lane to get behind drivers in other lanes, then putting their headlights on full beam and leaving them on.

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Useless laws weaken necessary laws.

Dixie - nice . but think on - one day soon one of these will get his/her passenger to dial 999 and claim road rage - your word against two of them ??

I didn’t realise that flashing your headlights or holding them on for a short while longer was an offence.

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Useless laws weaken necessary laws.

Somepeople may be intimidated by it, as they probably won't have a clue why your flashing them. Plus there could be a nutter in the car who takes exception to you flashing him. It's one of the many reasons I avoid doing it on the road, you just don't know what their reaction will be.

Of course it still doesn't justify people having their fogs on, and you'd be very unlucky if someone took offence to an innocent flash of your headlights, but you never know.