Driving with fog lights on

[Calaber]

OK, I'm going to hope this thread doesn't turn to crap but I just want to know why so many drivers insist on driving at night with their fog lights on when there is no fog.

On the NSW Central Coast, this is an extremely common practice and in this state, at least, it's illegal. It wouldn't be so hard to confront if it wasn't for the size of the "fog lights" fitted as standard to some cars. For example, Subaru Imprezas and Libertys have fog lights that are larger than most cars and when you are confronted by one coming at you with heads and fogs on, it's like facing into high beam. Other cars have fogs that seem much brighter than the low beams.

Now, fogs are only designed to illuminate the road a very short distance in front of the car, so they don't really add to the lighting power when you are driving in clear night-time conditions, so why do so many people like to drive with the fogs on all the time? Is it just for the looks or is it to genuinely get more light out there on the road?

[JMP]

I checked it out on my calais once and it made very little difference unless you sat forward in the seat and looked directly in front of the bar. My guess is they think it looks cool.

[TVR-190]

at night i never use them, during the day i do, It is proven that lights make yu more noticeable, hence why DRL's are becoming compulsory on new cars in many countries, obviously don't have ones that are gonna be shining into other drivers eyes while driving, but I don't see an issue with ones mounted low in the bar being used during the day, that said, at Night I don't think is necessary.

[VK SL 3800]

I like the look of driving with the fog lights on for some reason, im always tempted to do it when i drive my dads forester, i never do because i dont want a fine but when you turn on the lights near a wall the fog lights are aimed way below low beam and are no brighter as far as i can tell. I cant say ive ever noticed the fog lights on WRX's ect being super bright like getting hi-beamed, maybe people are putting in brighter globes?

[Jonno]

their is alot of fog where i live and i turn the fog lights on when their is fog cos u honestly cant see down the road, i turn them off straight away tho,

[aaronevolution]

I don't drive with my foglights on very often, but the way I see it is the more of the road and surroundings that I can see, the better. Especially with the state of the shithouse roads in Victoria these days, any pothole that I can avoid at night time by having foglights directed at the ground, means that I won't have to replace tires, wheels, castor bushes, link pins and the such.

[old mate]

i blast my horn and high beams at every car using fog lights in day time and times that are not foggy. if you cant ####ing see a car in the middle of a day, then get off the ####ing road and hand your licence in.

needless to say, i am pretty tired when i get to my destination.

[DAKSTER]

I use foglights on the open road in my Kia, they make a noticeable difference to vision on the roadsides in the area where high beam isnt close enough. I believe they have saved me from a number of roos. I dont see much point in using them around town though, so I dont.

The Commodore doesnt have any fitted yet, but when I get them, I will be looking for a similar light spread. Ford called them 'cornering lamps' rather than fog lamps, because thats what they are good at... showing the road and verge better at the front corners of the car.

A true 'fog' light would also have yellow lenses to minimize light reflection off the fog? I dont think the lights people call foglights are really suited much to that purpose, apart from being mounted lower.

I do have my headlights permanently on though, day or night, to allow me to be seen easier. This has been proven to be effective in many studies. Of course I never used to do that before the advent of modern cars which shut their headlights off automatically when you take the key out, I would have forgotten every time!

[calais24/7]

Some cars aren't to bad. But there are some that are much brighter then the headlights and there the ones that shit me. I'm tempted to in my parents car only becuase theirs lights up the road immediatly infront of you much better, and they are no brighter then the headlights and are aimed down at the road directly infront.

[DAKSTER]

i blast my horn and high beams at every car using fog lights in day time and times that are not foggy. if you cant ####ing see a car in the middle of a day, then get off the ####ing road and hand your licence in.

needless to say, i am pretty tired when i get to my destination.

Many studies have proven that using normal headlights in the daytime is a safety advantage. Some cars are actually built with the lights coming on by default with the ignition, you turn them off rather than on, if you have a need to have them off.

Fog lights, dont see the point in the daytime or around town. If any kind of lights are peeving you in the daytime though, you may need to seek anger management classes because I am buggered if I can think of a way they could cause you any problems at all...

[ClairBear]

Not only fog lights but the new HID lights can be blinding. Plus muppets that drive with their lights on during the day on high beam. I had an old lady behind me on the way home tonight full high beam in daylight. I contemplated telling her at a set of traffic lights but noticed in the rear view she was busy plucking at her chin hairs.

[DAKSTER]

Not only fog lights but the new HID lights can be blinding. Plus muppets that drive with their lights on during the day on high beam. I had an old lady behind me on the way home tonight full high beam in daylight. I contemplated telling her at a set of traffic lights but noticed in the rear view she was busy plucking at her chin hairs.

If you could see her plucking her chin hairs, her lights werent blinding you. If she was too intent on doing that, I would rather she had her lights on so I could more easily notice her coming and get out of her way if she wasnt paying enough attention to her driving.

[stuntmanmike]

I agree with driving with the lights on when:
1. It is dark
2. When on the highway/freeway
3. When in a multi storey carpark (coz some dolts think that the speed limit is 40km/h on the up ramps and that everyone else should give way to them)
4. When it is raining

Use of high beams:
1. In my driveway
2. When driving on the freeway/highway at night and without blinding oncoming traffic

Use of fog lights:
Only in dense fog when visibility is difficult.
If I was to drive around with my yellow foglights on in broad daylight on a clear day then that would provide no benefit and would not look ubercool.

I can hazard a guess that some drive with their fog lights on because they bumped the "on" button accidentally or they honestly have trouble seeing the road at night because their headlights are adjusted so that the tree tops are illuminated and my retinas are burnt out with their 140 amp blue light upgrade globes when they approach from 100 metres away. Seriously, there is no difference in the normal vs high beam with these bright globes. WTF!

[TVR-190]

http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...ng-lights.html

[ClairBear]

If you could see her plucking her chin hairs, her lights werent blinding you.

Not at that point as she pulled up close enough to me I could no longer see her lights.

[Lumps of cheese]

They're called fog lights, so use them when it's foggy.
Otherwise turn the annoying ####s of things off.

[jesse_lankey]

i put ss foglights in my vs about 6 months ago and they are triggered by the parker feed, however I haven't gotten around to buying the switch yet. I've never been flashed and I don't think their that bright, but i guess I'm just another one of those muppets with wanky foggies, however I never have em on during the day

[Crisis63]

I believe it is illegal to drive with them unless conditions are foggy in South Oz. I have also heard form a cop on a talk back radio show that it is not illegal to drive with high beam on during the day or around town. The offence apparently is “dazzling other drivers”…. That is also the one they will pick you up for if you flash your light to warn of radars. There is no actual law regarding flashing to warn of radars.

[ephect]

As with any mod, if it's not done 100% there will be issues. I'm yet to install me driving lights and I will be using them when I see fit if I need to see the road I will use them, but I will ensure they are angled correctly. Call me a ######## if u see me with them on, I don't care, I want to see the road ahead. I've driven round melb without my lights on, it was so illuminated I forgot them, no need for foggies in those situations. When the cops pull me up for it, I'll deal with the consciences.

Remember on some cars they are classed as driving lights not always foglights, from factory u can use them with with any light setting.

Edit, I know driving lights are only meant to work with high beams, and foggies are only meant to work with parkers and turn off low beam

[TVR-190]

Yes remember Fog lights = Usually Yellow
Driving lights = Clear (i.e VX, VY, VZ SS)

Fog lights vs. Driving lights

Front fog lights and driving lights are often confused. The main difference is in the light pattern. They are separate to the main headlights.

Fog lights

Designed to improve visibility of the road directly ahead of the vehicle in fog or hazardous weather conditions where visibility has been reduced. The Australian Road Rules state that they are not to be used at any other time.
Front fog lights can emit either a white or yellow light. Rear fog lights must emit a red light.
Rear fog lights are installed to make a vehicle more easily visible from the rear in fog, mist or hazardous conditions and should be wired independent of the car's other lights.
Fog lights have a low, flat, wide beam that is meant to illuminate the road below the fog or mist.
Switch off your fog lights once visibility is clear as they can blind other drivers.
Driving lights

Have a powerful beam that projects well down the road and are used to supplement high beam, especially when driving in country areas.
Should be wired to only operate when high beam is used.
Headlights

Must be switched on when driving between sunset and sunrise
When there is not enough daylight to be able to see a person wearing dark clothing at a distance of 100 metres.
High beam

Used on any road, even if there are street lights
Must be dipped to low beam when a vehicle coming toward you is within 200 metres
Must be dipped to low beam when driving 200 metres or less behind another vehicle.
Daytime running lights

DRLs are bright, white, forward-facing lights that improve the forward conspicuousness of vehicles in the daytime
Usually activated automatically when the engine is running
DRLs are the same as the main headlights. They must be aimed correctly so that they do not impede approaching drivers' visibility.
NRMA Motoring & Services commissioned a study of DRLs in 2003 which suggested that they should be standard on all vehicles as they could save lives and prevent injuries by increasing vehicle visibility.

Extreme conditions

Heavy rain, fog or snow - put your headlights onto low beam. High beam in fog will reflect the light, making it difficult to see.
In hazardous conditions, the law permits you to turn on your hazard lights to help others see you.

[kniever]

most cars are driving lights, real fog lights are yellow

*edit* tvr beat me

[DAKSTER]

As with any mod, if it's not done 100% there will be issues. I'm yet to install me driving lights and I will be using them when I see fit if I need to see the road I will use them, but I will ensure they are angled correctly. Call me a ######## if u see me with them on, I don't care, I want to see the road ahead. I've driven round melb without my lights on, it was so illuminated I forgot them, no need for foggies in those situations. When the cops pull me up for it, I'll deal with the consciences.

Remember on some cars they are classed as driving lights not always foglights, from factory u can use them with with any light setting.

Edit, I know driving lights are only meant to work with high beams, and foggies are only meant to work with parkers and turn off low beam

If thats the case, then many if not all factory fitted 'fog lamps' in oz are neither fog or driving lamps. I assume my Kia complies with the law, its just as it was from the factory floor, albeit a little scratched and dented these days. The 'fog' lamps work on a switch, and wont operate without the lights on. They will work with either high beam or low beam though, they dont override anything.

[TVR-190]

In the end I drive with mine on, and will in my new car.

RTA statistics show that 1/4 of fatal head on and pedestrian deaths could have been avoided through use of low beam, DRL's during the day. and thats good enough for me to run the built in driving lights, which are mounted low in the front bar with little chance of "blinding" someone during the day.

Admit it, you will almost always notice the car driving with his headlights / driving lights on during the day than take notice of a car that doesn't.

[DAKSTER]

i blast my horn and high beams at every car using fog lights in day time and times that are not foggy. if you cant ####ing see a car in the middle of a day, then get off the ####ing road and hand your licence in.

needless to say, i am pretty tired when i get to my destination.

Obviously RTA are wrong....

[HoldenOnn]

Headlights are perfectly adequate to run during the day and definetely do save lives.

There is no need for both headlights and fog/driving lights to be used during the day.

If the other road users cannot see your car clearly with only the headlights on in the middle of the day, then the issue is with their vision and not due to lack of visibility from your car.

Fog/driving lights do not have properly designed lenses to stop stray light from pointing towards an oncoming vehicle, whereas headlights do. This is especially prominent in alot of cases when the slighest knock or bump on vehicles in the front end can allow the fog/driving lights to take on a new directional aim due to the flimsy plastic bumpers which they are mounted in.

All the new vehicles that are coming onto the market eg Audi, BMW, Merc etc all run DRLs which are the only lights illuminated at the front of the vehicle during the day. This is because tests have shown that there only needs to be one set of lights illuminated during the day and not two like most people seem to think.

And one of the reasons that the new car makers are using LEDs is due to the reduced load on the charging/electrical systems. Whereas headlights use larger amounts of power and put more drain on already complex electrical systems. So at night time, the headlights get turned on and the LEDs automatically turn off.