£30 fine for fog lights with no fog?

[Joe 90]

My mum told me yesterday that she recently pulled into a petrol station and had a police man tell her that she had the front fogs on and that he could fine her £30 for that because there was no fog.

is this the case? because its not all that well lit where we live I frequently use the front fogs to improve visibility on the poor roads around here. Seems stupid they can fine you for it but if so, thats certainly a fine simply to make money!

[Nutcase]

Sorry but there's absolutely NO reason to use rear foglights unless you have difficulty seeing cars in front of you for about 100m and front foglights should ONLY be used if the fog is so thick your dipped headlights are bounced straight back at you. Front foglights are a replacement for dipped headlights.

If you can't see clearly, drive slower.

In 13 years of driving I've needed front foglights twice.

I don't think the police fine enough people driving round with foglights on IMO as they are often poorly aimed and when cresting a hill etc. will shine directly at oncoming drivers' eyes.

[Lopez]

You are not allowed to use front or rear fogs unless visibility is less than 100m. Your mum could (and should) have been done.

If you cannot see, slow down or, where appropriate, use main beam.

[Feek]

It's something I learned a long time ago, I was driving along Millers Barn Lane and a plod flashed me down from behind, blue lights and everything and 'advised' me not to use my front fogs when it's not foggy.

Now I tend to use them if I'm on dark unlit roads for increased visibility but I flick them on and off at the same time as I dip/undip my headlights when there's oncoming traffic. I find the low wide beam really helps in country lanes.

But yes, it's not allowed unless visibility is dramatically reduced.

[Grandad]

Could be a tricky one deciding fog lights from driving lights though

My "lower" lights come on whenever the headlights are on, nothing I can do about it

[Jingo]

I was pulled into an organised police stop once as I was unaware I had left them on. It gave the police a quick chance to look around the car, ask me a few questions and then after I apologised and told them I was unaware, they let me go scott free!

[Del Lardo]

When I am in my Elise there are very few things more annoying than someone driving towards me with front fogs on as they are at the perfect height to blind me.

[TinkerBell]

I agree with the majority of the people on here. There is no need to have fog lights on. I hate it when I see other people with fog lights on when they aren't needed. I have managed for 4 years without any fog lights so it just shows that you don't need them when it isn't foggy.

I think it is pretty fair to fine people for having them on when at the end of the day, the fog lights can cause other road user's undue dazzle or discomfort. The inappropriate use is dangerous as it can affect the oncoming driver's ability to see cyclists, pedestrians, and also the road.

[Goose]

As a cyclist, I can't stand it. Sometimes it'll take a second or two for my eyes to readjust properly, and that's a second or two I need to spend looking at the road surface I'm riding on.

I've been caught out by bumps/holes I couldn't see after being dazzled by passing cars, with a few close calls.

As a motorist, there is really no need to use them. As with Nutcase, I've barely had the need to use them.

[Mark]

This thread reminds me somewhat of Zoltan's signature (OcUK).

RIP