THEN DON'T!!! :rant:

Considering how many people I see every day on my way to and from work with their fog lights on when it's not foggy. Surely some of them must be here, reading this!

Please explain to me why it is necessary to use more lights than is needed, breaking the law in the process?

I used to know someone who did this, because 'it looks cool'.

No matter how many times I berated him for it he just did not care whether it was dangerous/distracting/highly annoying to other road users. :rant:

Its a bling thing, like bullbars and the like.

I really wish there was a way of communicating effectively with people in other cars on the road. The number of people I'd be shouting "Turn your &*^%$&& fog lights off you ignorant &^$£ !!!" to would be quite high.

It seems to me that many of these people simply don't KNOW that it's illegal to use your fog lights in normal conditions, and they should only be used where visibility is severely restricted. A little hint of fog, or some spray from a lorry on the motorway, is NOT enough.

I don't like driving at night on dark roads when I overtake someone and they don't dip their headlights - instead I get blinded by their full beam.

It's simple courtesy really.

It's just depressing and really pi$$es me off. There's 2 types of drivers that mainly seem to commit this offence, the souped up Corsa boy racer types, and the 4x4 mums on the school run type.

I have this constant dream at the moment of pulling them over, taking a gun out and shooting their fog lights out, then driving off! What a lovely thought... ;)

Originally posted by Briano
I have this constant dream at the moment of pulling them over, taking a gun out and shooting their fog lights out, then driving off! What a lovely thought... ;)

Do it.
On another thread I said the Police should not be routinely be armed, Not us.

I always have a side arm in the glove compartment when i'm driving in case i go near the Manor or summat. :thumbsup:

must have a chance this

Why is it illegal, they are just little lights arn't they ?

Originally posted by nick2
Why is it illegal, they are just little lights arn't they ?

I see why you dont drive now. :rolleyes:

There was a young man at the top of the Moor yesterday driving a Hummer with tinted glass and a deep bassline pumping out. When the lights turned green he made an illegal maneveur driving straight on [where a no-entry sign is clearly displayed]. Pedestrians were crossing and instead of stopping apologetically he slammed his fancy horn on. At that moment a plain clothes police officer who was crossing the road pulled out his warrant card and ordered the idiot to pull over. I assume he gave him a right ticking off.

Originally posted by viking
I see why you dont drive now. :rolleyes:

Good job I don't if people get their knickers in such a twist about every minor thing other drivers do that they don't like. Sounds far too stressfull to me.

Its not a minor thing its very dangerous! and the worse are rear fog lights!

Originally posted by nick2
Good job I don't if people get their knickers in such a twist about every minor thing other drivers do that they don't like. Sounds far too stressfull to me.

Fog lights when not needed are not a minor thing, they are dangerous! These "Little lights" can blind you from seeing the road or anything/anyone on it...

Driving is stressful? Now that I agree with! :-p

I have SPOT lights on the front of my car, which are different to my fog lights. The spot lights are really handy, and light up all the pot holes sprinkled liberally around sheffield's roads much more clearly than my normal headlights. You could stand in front of my car with the spots on and not even squint. If these are what you're on about, bear in mind that on many cars, these are not the fog lights.

Fog lights permanently on on the rear? Now that's another matter!

I was wondering which lights people were on about as well.

On my new (to me anyway) car it shows the spotlights as front fog lights ( #D ) though they are in the same place (and shine in the same direction ) as other people's spotlights so it must be just the make of car.... eh.

As stated they're needed to see all the potholes and bumps all over Sheffield and as far as i'm aware (using the highway code book) it's only illegal to leave the REAR fog light on.

OT: I also wish people would would put their handbrakes on at red lights, brakes lights on some cars are really bright. :cool:

Rule 211 of the highway code:

211: You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 201) as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves link here (/http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/21.htm#211)

I like briano's idea better though.

Originally posted by pietro
Rule 211 of the highway code:

211: You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 201) as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves link here (/http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/21.htm#211)

I like briano's idea better though.
Fixed your link (http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/21.htm#211).

Yeah but it's the front ones as well. If there is no fog, and especially if the road is wet, they reflect straight back up at oncoming motorists.

Very annoying.

Some people are just not fit to hold a driving license.... they turn their fog lights on when there's a slight mist and then totally forget they've got them on and carry on driving oblivious to the nuisance they are causing. It's just one of the many driving offenses that is annoying and dangerous for other road users.

Just as bad are the brainless idiots who drive around with no lights on at all. There is always at least one leaving the Asda car park at night ... I've seen so many people lately with no lights on at all - at night and also in very bad weather conditions. Do they have a death-wish or what?!

And then there are the other idiots who have a headlight out so switch the one remaining one on to full beam to compensate. WTF???

Rather than just issuing 'points' it's about time more people who are unable to drive safely and effectively have their license revoked and made to take a re-test to get it back.

as shown fog lights are for use in poor visibility FOG - if its not foggy you should have rain lights which u can use if its raining.

most new minis have small lights below the bumper which are on all the time - they are not fog light sbut side lights.

spot lights on the front vehicles i.e big suv's legally can only be switched on when main beam is being used.they should be wired thru a relay so that when main beam is used(little blue light on your dash) the spots are activated.otherwise they are illegal to use on the road.

Thanks for the fix rich.

no, cos I'm not an inconciderate CHAV!!!!!

CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV :mad:


I do however have 4 spotlights on the front of my van, along with the 2 full beams at the touch of a button. Hopefully I have left a few fog light sporting chavs partially blinded over the last couple of years.

harsh? good!

:)

Originally posted by AlquarUK
no, cos I'm not an inconciderate CHAV!!!!!

CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV CHAV :mad:


I do however have 4 spotlights on the front of my van, along with the 2 full beams at the touch of a button. Hopefully I have left a few fog light sporting chavs partially blinded over the last couple of years.

harsh? good!

:)

If you have all these lights and only use them when no-one is gonna be blinded (fog light idiots excepted) good on ye! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Hels
Some people are just not fit to hold a driving license.... they turn their fog lights on when there's a slight mist and then totally forget they've got them on and carry on driving oblivious to the nuisance they are causing.

There are also MALE Drivers on the road Hels.

Don't fog lights shine down to the ground ? i thought that was the idea of them .

Originally posted by poppins
Don't fog lights shine down to the ground ? i thought that was the idea of them .

That is correct, and if you had 100 hundred fog lights on your vehicle all shining down to the ground - do you think it wouldn't blind someone heading for them!? :loopy:

I find it strange we still haven't heard from anyone who has read this and uses their fog lights more than necessary... perhaps all forumers are too intellectual and aware for this to happen to them. :D

Briano,

I commented having read it. It seems that your gripe is with people, like myself, who use spot lights. The lights mounted on the bumper, below the main headlights.
I use my SPOT lights, you would deem, more than necessary.


pook

Originally posted by Briano
It's just depressing and really pi$$es me off. There's 2 types of drivers that mainly seem to commit this offence, the souped up Corsa boy racer types, and the 4x4 mums on the school run type.

I have this constant dream at the moment of pulling them over, taking a gun out and shooting their fog lights out, then driving off! What a lovely thought... ;)
Don't you think that you should find something more important to worry about? ;)

Fog light envy anyone? :heyhey:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Briano
[B]That is correct, and if you had 100 hundred fog lights on your vehicle all shining down to the ground - do you think it wouldn't blind someone heading for them!? :loopy:




I just asked a simple question , so no need to give me that

:loopy: stuff.

Why is it illegal, they are just little lights arn't they ?

Fog lights seriously distract a following driver's attention from the brake lights so should only be used when really necessary. Maybe going behind the offending vehicle using full beam might get the message across?
The converse can be as bad though. I once remember driving on the M1 in fog and getting unexpectedly close to an old car with very poor quality rear lights.

Originally posted by Pook
Briano,

I commented having read it. It seems that your gripe is with people, like myself, who use spot lights. The lights mounted on the bumper, below the main headlights.
I use my SPOT lights, you would deem, more than necessary.


pook

if u use spot lights with your normal headlights on your BREAKING THE LAW.
spot lights should only be used when main beam is used - if not u wired them up without reading the fitting instructions.

unless u drive a new mini 'cos theyre classed as sidelights.

Originally posted by Tony
Don't you think that you should find something more important to worry about? ;)

Fog light envy anyone? :heyhey:

Lol, I do have my own front and rear fog lights thanks very much :P - mostly used alongside my full beam when approaching people who like to dazzle me with their fog lights or SPOT lights...

Pook, you blind or something - needing to use more lights than most other drivers on the road!? :loopy:

Poppins... sorry, I don't get over annoyed by this sort of thing at all!! :heyhey:

1) I have spot lights, they make driving safer as I can see more, and the effect they have (angled down), makes judging the road conditions, ie: foot deep potholes, more straightforward.

2) I never suggested I use them independently of the main beam.

3) I didn't wire them up. They came as standard on my car.

4) My FOG lights are different lights to my SPOT lights. Different switch, different fuse, bulb, circuit and effect.

5) If you find somebody elses fog lights 'depressing', you seriously need to reconsider your priorities in life!

If I spot you shooting someone's fog OR spot lights out, I'll be sure to give you a :wave:

Oh look, we can all use smilies!

It is a big issue for bikers like Briano or shall we say ped bois :D

Originally posted by Briano
If you have all these lights and only use them when no-one is gonna be blinded (fog light idiots excepted) good on ye! :thumbsup:

ta! :)

Its impossible to 'forget' they are on! ha ha

Only use em when roads are clear or when fog light sporting chavs approach!

:D

oh, this is my car by the way



<http://www.strangevehicles.com/images/content/108938.jpg>

Originally posted by Pook
oh, this is my car by the way



<http://www.strangevehicles.com/images/content/108938.jpg>


Max speed 13mph down wind, when you run out of petrol can 'sail' home!

ha ha :)

i get cracking radio reception though.

Originally posted by Briano
.....Considering how many people I see every day on my way to and from work with their fog lights on when it's not foggy. Surely some of them must be here, reading this!....

I see more people with ill adjusted/broken headlights every morning & night, and I bet most of these idiots are driving around blissfully unaware. Just like the ********s who drive round with their REAR fog lights on 2 days after the fog has cleared (or even 2 minutes after the fog has cleared and your in clear conditions).

Clowns... all of em. :loopy:

But is it just me or does anyone else think that HID (aka Xenon) lights are worse than front fogs? I can't believe they're legal.

Originally posted by willman
if u use spot lights with your normal headlights on your BREAKING THE LAW.
spot lights should only be used when main beam is used - if not u wired them up without reading the fitting instructions.

unless u drive a new mini 'cos theyre classed as sidelights.

Side lights are simply markers. Cars used to have em all the time, and Japanese cars have always been so. In the 80s and 90s car stylists moved the sidelight bulb into the headlamp body, to clear the front of the car up. The Mini has diddy round sidelights as a nod to the old Mini it apes. It's retro, see? Many Volvos and Saabs have the sidelights wired so they're on all the time, as low-visibility conditions are frequently encountered in the cars' native Sweden.

Spot lights are indeed the ones that come on with the main beam. Also known as driving lights.

Fog lights aren't on all cars, but they do have their own switch. It's best operated when, and only when, there's fog. If operated at other times these lights are referred to as w*nker or tw*t lights.

Sight-impaired or generally unobservant people find it difficult to see potholes at night. They believe using their fog lights when there is no fog helps them to see these problems, but in reality a visit to the optician and a lesson in looking ahead while driving is more effective.

Very stupid people think that using their fog lights when there is no fog makes them look cool. But in reality it makes them look like an ignorant, inconsiderate berk with wits dimmer than their lights. Fortunately these lights aren't designed for constant use. They often overheat as a result. When cold water touches the lens it cracks, which is gratifying for observers.

Part of original post by Briano
Lol, I do have my own front and rear fog lights thanks very much :P - mostly used alongside my full beam when approaching people who like to dazzle me with their fog lights or SPOT lights...
So... If at night, the vehicle approaching you is partially blinding you by their lights, you think it's a good move to also partially blind them too, at the same time, ensuring that neither of you can see clearly?

Flicking your lights to full-beam momentarily is not so bad but intentionally impairing the vision of the driver of an oncoming vehicle sounds like greatly increasing the accident-risk for both of you, to me!

Tempting to retaliate though it may be, wise it definitely ain't, IMO. ;)

re fog lights. I will bet that hardly any of the people driving in the daytime with fog lights on have ever driven in real fog.
Front fog lights are to see with, rear fog lights are to be seen by.
to drive in night time fog with headlights on beam and fog lights on is madness, there are times when it is better to just have the fog lights on.
The best thing to do is also to have the windscreen wipers going, it's surprising what a differnce it makes, ask any one who used to drive around Sheffield in the fifties when even fog lights were useless

I've had my car for nearly 2 years now, and today was the first time I've had cause to use my fog lights (and actually I wasn't in fog- I was in a bank of low cloud, as sometimes happens round big sis's house- she lives high up above Halifax).

I had to wrack my brains for how to turn them on (it's a Renault- nothing's straightforward).

On a slightly more vindictive note- I used to drive a Tranny for work which had some enormous wrecking spots on the top facing backwards, which were wonderful for flashing at all the idiots who used to barrel up behind me while I was going over Snake as fast as a laden Tranny can manage and flash their lights. I imagine it took them weeks to get the purple spots off their retinas after that one (and I hope they learned not to do it again)

Originally posted by medusa666
[BOn a slightly more vindictive note- I used to drive a Tranny for work which had some enormous wrecking spots on the top facing backwards, which were wonderful for flashing at all the idiots who used to barrel up behind me while I was going over Snake as fast as a laden Tranny can manage and flash their lights. I imagine it took them weeks to get the purple spots off their retinas after that one (and I hope they learned not to do it again) [/B]

Sublety like that works wonders. :)

On this note I realised that I've been driving for a few hours with my rear foggs on accidentaly. They were de-activated in under 5 seconds. :)

One of the stupidist things I've seen someone do is in Huddersfield driver in a car with the exhaust back-box hanging off and scraping allong the road! Told the driver about it - she asked what's the worst that could happen and after telling her she could be pulled by the police she thanks me and drives off!

I always assumed that the idiots that drive around with fog lights on are just scared of the dark :suspect:

Originally posted by Pook
oh, this is my car by the way



<http://www.strangevehicles.com/images/content/108938.jpg>

Now that I like!!!

This one really is mine - with enough lighting to fry a chav or two:
http://www.regionalitp.com/lr1.jpg

Originally posted by Jivester
I always assumed that the idiots that drive around with fog lights on are just scared of the dark :suspect:

Pretty dark in the mornings now, and today there were vehicles with their lights in each one of four states:

off
sidelights
main beam
main beam + foglights

make your minds up! ;)

Originally posted by Jivester
I always assumed that the idiots that drive around with fog lights on are just scared of the dark :suspect:
Like the morons who hog the middle lane on the motoway - are they scared of something coming out of the bushes? :confused: :hihi:

I just flash my main beam back at people who are a) parked on my side of the road facing me with their headlights still on, b) with their main beam on when it's unnecessary and c) who don't dip their headlights to oncoming traffic on unlit roads. My car is as basic as it comes, but there's still a little blue headlamp on the dashboard to tell me if my main beam is on so how the hell do drivers of these new-fangled, all-singing, all-dancing cars no know they've got theirs on ... leaving me to summise that they do it on purpose.

I have been guilty of driving with them on a few times when I haven't needed to. This is usually because i've had them on before - have turned off the engine, went to bed or whatever, and when i've started the car up again and put my lights on - they come on automatically because I didnt turn them off.

"yes but surely you must know you have them on" some people will say.

In the dark, yes there isn't an excuse as you can tell how bright your lights are. However in grim daytime conditions, you can't tell how bright your lights are when they are on.

Generally though, this isn't much of a problem in town - where it is light anyway. Its out on the country roads and motorway where it dazzles people the most.

Well I have seen on many occasions idiots with just their f#**wit fog lights on and not their headlights.
This surely has to be the ultimate in stupidity.

FFS. They are designed for basically lighting up the kirb and a couple of meters in front of the car.
NOT for use as headlights!

Originally posted by dinp
I have been guilty of driving with them on a few times when I haven't needed to. This is usually because i've had them on before - have turned off the engine, went to bed or whatever, and when i've started the car up again and put my lights on - they come on automatically because I didnt turn them off.

"yes but surely you must know you have them on" some people will say.

In the dark, yes there isn't an excuse as you can tell how bright your lights are. However in grim daytime conditions, you can't tell how bright your lights are when they are on.

Generally though, this isn't much of a problem in town - where it is light anyway. Its out on the country roads and motorway where it dazzles people the most.

Aren't the warning lights on your dashboard/switches a give away?

I'm not too fussed about the fog lights being on at the front of the car, but when you're travelling behind a car with their rear fog lights on - it's blinding!

Originally posted by markwit
Aren't the warning lights on your dashboard/switches a give away?

On my car the switch and light for my fogs is completely hidden by my steering wheel, its not with all the other switches.. to be honest its in a VERY stoopid place... but never mind.. i've got used to it now.

However they do turn themselves off when my ignition turns off, and don't come back on the next time i use my lights... good eh :D

My mum has a new Mini and it has two sets of lights, side lights which are round and close to the ground and the main set of lights.

We have never used the fog lights since we have had the car (18months) and the foglight switch is under the radio so there is no way you could "accidently" switch them on.

But i agree its really annoying when people use full beam, fog lights when its not necessary!

Originally posted by JonnH
I also wish people would would put their handbrakes on at red lights, brakes lights on some cars are really bright. :cool:

Too right. I always keep a pair of shades handy for that ;)

Originally posted by JonJParr
There was a young man at the top of the Moor yesterday driving a Hummer with tinted glass and a deep bassline pumping out. When the lights turned green he made an illegal maneveur driving straight on [where a no-entry sign is clearly displayed]. Pedestrians were crossing and instead of stopping apologetically he slammed his fancy horn on. At that moment a plain clothes police officer who was crossing the road pulled out his warrant card and ordered the idiot to pull over. I assume he gave him a right ticking off.


LOL! Priceless!