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Q for pc185

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:10 pm
by Gerry H
Hi, Being in the know, presumably :grin: , can you tell me what is the police objection to using front fogs?

I don't normally use fog lights, but I was driving back from Scotland, on the motorways, last Thursday evening and encountered some very heavy and prolonged rain which caused a great deal of spray. Knowing I had a front headlight gone, I put on the one headlight and front fogs. The thinking being it would help vehicles in front to identify it's a car approaching and not a bike.

This happened in Lancashire and at one point came up behind a police car travelling in the slow lane at the usual 55ish, as they do. As I approached, in the middle lane, I was flashed a message that said 'Turn off fog lights' which I did, of course. But why? This same thing happened a few years ago in Leicestershire.

What's the objection? Maybe you'll be kind enough to enlighten me as I thought I was doing the best thing, under the circumstances.

Ta.

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:49 am
by Mad Monk
Because they are "fog" lights and not "Rain" lights.Fog lights are considerably brighter than normal lights so when used in rain as opposed to fog the water makes them even brighter which dazzles people where as fog makes lights dimmer.

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:19 am
by duncan
Personally I hate fog lights in the fog, from being very difficult to see anything other than a faint pair of lights in front of you they turn it into being impossible to see anything other than the bright fog lights (brake lights are impossible to see)

If I ever switch my rear fogs on they get switched off as soon as there is a car behind me.

As an aside, have you ever noticed that whenever you see a fog light on when it isnt foggy, it is a ford? Look the next time - I have conducted this study over many years :) It is something to do with the way the fog light switch stays on when the car is switched off.

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 5:26 am
by Asty
dynamix wrote:Personally I hate fog lights in the fog, from being very difficult to see anything other than a faint pair of lights in front of you they turn it into being impossible to see anything other than the bright fog lights (brake lights are impossible to see)

If I ever switch my rear fogs on they get switched off as soon as there is a car behind me.

As an aside, have you ever noticed that whenever you see a fog light on when it isnt foggy, it is a ford? Look the next time - I have conducted this study over many years :) It is something to do with the way the fog light switch stays on when the car is switched off.
well said , when ever i see people wih fog lights on i just wanna crash into them :evil: ( espically when its a normal dry day :x )

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:04 am
by Gerry H
Mad Monk wrote:Because they are "fog" lights and not "Rain" lights.Fog lights are considerably brighter than normal lights so when used in rain as opposed to fog the water makes them even brighter which dazzles people where as fog makes lights dimmer.
That's true in town on a wet road but this was on a fairly quiet motorway and peeing down. BTW what's the difference between driving lights & fog lights? These just put a short spread of light in front of the car, not much use for the driver but makes the car more visible in poor conditions.

dynamix wrote:Personally I hate fog lights in the fog, from being very difficult to see anything other than a faint pair of lights in front of you they turn it into being impossible to see anything other than the bright fog lights (brake lights are impossible to see)

If I ever switch my rear fogs on they get switched off as soon as there is a car behind me.

As an aside, have you ever noticed that whenever you see a fog light on when it isnt foggy, it is a ford? Look the next time - I have conducted this study over many years :) It is something to do with the way the fog light switch stays on when the car is switched off.
Couldn't agree more, other than to substitute Ford with Peugeot.

This was in the Xantia btw. The front fogs on the Scoob have never worked and aren't connected. There isn't a rear fog on it, got knocked off by a cone, ages ago.

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:30 am
by duncan
Cone damage strikes again :D

Just think of the weight savings by removing them from the Scoob :)

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 6:49 am
by blacky
Gerry

We should start a new renegade club, Subaru and Xantia owners, and i can concur that my headligt bulbs keep going, you would think they would be okay seeing as the suspension is made of cheese!

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:35 am
by Gerry H
Xantaru & Subia dot com :-D

Love the suspension on mine, it corners on rails with it's 'sport' suspension switch 8)

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:37 am
by blacky
Oh look at you :wink: , I only have a lowly 1.8 16v SX model. Although you can surprise a few people as to the handling capabilities once you know the bodyroll is okay. :lol: :lol:

Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:41 am
by Gerry H
I have thought of entering it for a sprint. standard class, diesel engine. :roll:

Aquaplanes in the smallest puddles though, so the last Debden would have been a laugh.