fog lights

[Arith]

I would understand the 'blinding' part if it were foglights from a Holden or something, which are practically brighter and more intense than the low beams on the car. But most of the Japanese vehicles I see are pretty much not obnoxious and are quite tame, to the point of being useless and just there for show.

But at certain angles, even low beams can daze you. However, the law needs to be revised so that there is a distinction between 'driving lights' and 'fog lights'. Fog lights for me are more yellow and have a lot of glare which would blind oncoming traffic. But driving lights are normal halogen or white which help to illuminate the road, and should be allowed really.

[jdm rsk]

I would understand the 'blinding' part if it were foglights from a Holden or something, which are practically brighter and more intense than the low beams on the car. But most of the Japanese vehicles I see are pretty much not obnoxious and are quite tame, to the point of being useless and just there for show.

But at certain angles, even low beams can daze you. However, the law needs to be revised so that there is a distinction between 'driving lights' and 'fog lights'. Fog lights for me are more yellow and have a lot of glare which would blind oncoming traffic. But driving lights are normal halogen or white which help to illuminate the road, and should be allowed really.

jim i feel you have it the wrong way round...driving lights is what you see on the front of rally cars

[Std08GTB]

Are ours actually "fog" lights or "recognition" lights?

I leave mine on all the time with parkers, otherwise I'll drive off at night with the lights off in the city and get a fine for that becuase the dash is always illuminated which could be an issue.

[GTB Liberty]

I wanted to clarify something:

1. I don't drive with fogs on ALL THE TIME (rarely ever) but I DO drive with my headlights on 100% of the time.
2. Country night driving I use them due to the 90 degree fill making the road shoulder, surrounds (ever hit a roo early morning at 80 Kms ? - I have) and hence the wombats and roos easier to see.
3. Crap weather - fog, sheeting rain, etc.

The use of fog lights is a legit practice. It's overuse has probably led to the poor over policing.

[Ric]

I've been driving alpine roads for nearly 20 years now, and fog lights, when not necessary, are very similar in brightness to hi beam in the right angles. I do stress the angle bit. They dazzle and put out your focus just enough to confuse, thats why they are illegal. fog lights do very little in fwd detection of oncoming hazzards, they would extend about what, even lets say 20m, 20m@100kph, about 1sec worth of notice. that's so not going to help any.

and just a question for Adrian why parkers and fog lights? that's what lo-beam is for. parkers and fog=fashion over function
also, cops enforce the law not make it. its a tough job.

You and me both mate and yes some lights are dazzling, some not all. In fact over the days since being pulled over I've noticed a lot of people driving with their fog lights on up here and the only ones I've found dazzling were on a 200 series Land Cruiser, where the fogs lights are pretty much at eye level, and a Holden ute. I have actually angled mine out a little further to better illuminate the shoulder as it does make a difference to seeing that roo or wombat even if it is only a second. Having driven on alpine roads for 20 years you must understand that every little bit helps. As for fashion over function couldn't really care about fashion and run 4000k bulbs in all my lights as it seems to be the most effective temp for visibility. Certainly wouldn't be running 5000k+ as you start to loose performance over about 4500k. I have my parkers on most of the time especially early morning and late afternoon. Maybe I could have switched my low beam lights on but my parkers were already on, it got foggy, so I switched on my fog lights.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough in the original post but it was foggy on the way into Jindy from my place and was the same on the way up the hill and I only had the fog lights on so other drivers could see me. Until I was pulled me over I wasn't aware of the fog light law. I understand the police have a difficult job to do and our local guys do a great job considering their lack of manning. The thing that pissed me off was a) his attitude/manner, and b) it was foggy where I had been and where i was going but wasn't on the particular stretch of road he pulled me up on. We get this here in Jindabyne every year some out of town knob rolls in to town with his spurs on and pisses off the locals, cops included. The regular Highway Patrol bloke, out of Cooma, is a great bloke who is well respected round the area for his common sence approach to policing the local roads but it's these winter only cowboys who take things to the extreme.

[smythie]

The regular Highway Patrol bloke, out of Cooma, is a great bloke who is well respected round the area for his common sence approach to policing the local roads

He doesn't happen to drive a blue XR falcon (or at least a couple of years ago)?

[tangcla]

"If you ask why again I'll book you for it and you'll be out $240 and 2 points"

It would have been fun just to ask again and report the matter to someone with higher authority. Bring out your phone and make it clear to him that you are recording the conversation and watch his tone change

[niicksey]

Just got fined $100 and 1 demerit for having my fog lights on, The thing is i didnt even have the fog lights in. they where LED parker globes to match my HID

[teK--]

Appeal the fine Niicksey.

You'll probably find though that your explanation of the parkers being mistaken for foglights due to their brightness may also cause you problems as there are ADRs regarding the specs of parker lights. Last I checked they only specify the wattage and colour though, not the amount of lumens.

[niicksey]

Appeal the fine Niicksey.

You'll probably find though that your explanation of the parkers being mistaken for foglights due to their brightness may also cause you problems as there are ADRs regarding the specs of parker lights. Last I checked they only specify the wattage and colour though, not the amount of lumens.

Thanks mate. Yeah i mate just take the fine bud, he tried to also get me for my radar detector but they are still legal in W.A . Cops here are dodging the real crims and taking on the people who are doing nothing wrong.

[adz2.0r]

I always drive with my fog lights on but when ever i see a cop i turn them off if they come up next to me or if i see an rbt coming up.

[Adrian2627]

There are two Hwy Patrol cars around Cooma. A blue one driven by a younger bloke and a red one driven by an older guy. They are both pretty good guys but the one I refered to drives the red car.

Clarence I've been told that by a few guys and it's a good idea but it's one of those things you never think of at the time especially as I was trying my best not to tell him to f@#k off.

The out of town guys have gone now but will be back when school holidays start. Haven't been pulled over in a week but over the long weekend it was 4 days out of 5.

[sublime]

I've seen some police here in QLD driving with their fog lights on (even during the day) in patrol cars (mainly the Aurion Sportivo). I've never been pulled over and don't personally know of anyone here who has been for having their fog lights on, but I am of the understanding that you should not have them on if the conditions don't call for it.

Off topic, I've also seen some of the traffic police driving unmarked Liberty's, both GT and the less expensive models. Some people look at me twice when I'm driving behind them or past them, especially at car meets; but then again who could blame them!

[CappZ]

I've got 6000k HIDs in my low beam and the stock halogen fog lights at the moment. It's illegal in NSW to have them on in conditions that don't need it. I don't turn mine on unless I need it because its a big give away that i have HIDs that may not be stock in my car with the two different lights.

[teK--]

Do you turn your HIDs off when there *is* fog cappz? Those 6000K bulbs must glare your own eyes more than anything!