Are Fog Lights illeal in Your Area?

[TomoHawk]

I see it every day, and even more at night:  people with fog lights on when it's a day (or night) with fair weather, and no snow rain or FOG.

But people still drive with the fog lights ON. 

The problem  is that about 50% of them are aimed badly, and it shines at an oncoming driver.  Some are extremely bright, and blinds the oncoming driver! 

In Ohio where I am, it's definitely illegal to use them, unless  the weather conditions require it, but people still turn them, or leave them, ON.  I'll bet the "salesman"  (obviously an expert driver)  recommended to young people that  it's a "safety" advantage to sell automobiles, and they tell it to everybody else, who ignorantly accept it.  Isn't that what DRL (Daytime Running Lights) are for- safety? 

All you really need is your headlamps, properly maintained.

 

[Jarvo2]

I just mounted 100watt driving lights (8" round) on the front of my 240z and I only fire them up when there is no one around and it's super dark. On my xterra the fog lights default to on when the headlights go on, but they're low wattagr


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[Jarvo2]

Sent from my iPhone using Classic Zcar Club mobile

[TomoHawk]

You've got the right practice regarding the driving lamps, but I did look into the laws regarding fog lights in Ohio, and it does say that when you switch the headlights  ON, the fog lights should go OFF.

BTW-  I hope you have all flat roads and driveways in your area, so you don't knock them off-  they seem to hang precariously low...

Many people will dismiss it by saying it's a low-wattage light, but that's not the problem.  IT'S ILLEGAL, and about half of them are dangerously configured, as I said.  LEOs don't care;  they probably do it themselves on their personal vehicle.

 

COOL-- Samsung Galaxy 7 phones are COMPLETELY PROHIBITED on commercial flights.  You can't have them in your pocket, or in your baggage or anything.  They're a known and dangerous fire hazard, so leave yours at home and get yours exchanged immediately-  if you live long enough. 

Edited October 15, 2016 by TomoHawk

[Mike]

I'm not sure about the laws in all states, but, police look for the lights to make routine stops.  I was pulled over a few times for having them on, and my suspect is they are looking for drunk drivers.  Most new cars have a switch to turn on the lights and they are always on when driving.  My SUV for example (not exactly modern -- it's a 2000) has a fog light switch but no indicator on the dash.  It's hard to remember if the switch is on or not.  They are always on when my car is driven -- headlights only turn on when the photo cell tells them to turn on.  Anyway, I do advise that you check to see if your fog lights have a switch and turn them off just to avoid any unwanted questions from the local fuzz.

As far as the Galaxy 7, the FAA doesn't prohibit carrying the phone.  They strongly advise against using them or charging while on board.  https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=86424  This is international in scope, because I remember hearing many warnings on planes while I was on a recent business trip to Europe.  It's definitely quite a problem because Samsung recently decided to stop production of this unit.  

[TomoHawk]

I will get a new car in the Spring, and I plan to leave the fog lights OFF.  I will probably only need them  4 times during the life of the car.  Even with my current car, I never needed them.  If the weather is supposed to be bad I'll stay home or slow to a safe speed.  Fortunately my commute is only 2 miles on a road I could "drive with my eyes closed."  But I still get fools  in oncoming trucks or SUVs that don't notice the symbol for HIGH BEAMS.

The Samsung phones:  I just saw a news report saying they were prohibited.  I don't remember if it was just one airline or all of them, tho.  That  model is in a recall now for the fire problem.

[S30Driver]

9 hours ago, TomoHawk said:

The Samsung phones:  I just saw a news report saying they were prohibited.  I don't remember if it was just one airline or all of them, tho.  That  model is in a recall now for the fire problem.

The FAA banned only the Galaxy Note 7 on all US flights.  The regular Galaxy S7 is not.  I think the S7 probably uses a different battery.

From my rally days, the lights that Jarvo2 has under the bumper look more like spots to me, not fogs.  If they came with snap on plastic covers, they will be protected from stone damage when driving & not in use.

[siteunseen]

10 hours ago, Mike said:

I'm not sure about the laws in all states, but, police look for the lights to make routine stops.  I was pulled over a few times for having them on, and my suspect is they are looking for drunk drivers.    

So true! at least down here.  I had a 325is back in the 90s with with driving lights that came on with the headlights.  After 2 "refusal to blow" visits to the the jailhouse I cut the wires to those babys.

 

[dmorales-bello]

It seems the terms are "fuzzy". Fog lights are supposed to be amber or white lights aimed low along the road surface where the overlying fog would not interrupt the beam and thus allow for safer driving when fog occurs. Fog will render the higher mounted headlights less efficient and using the high beams will make driving even more hazardous because you'll just illuminate the fog and not the road so it's recommended to only use low beams during foggy conditions. Auxiliary fog lights, if switched on, should come on only the when the low beams are on and switch off when you hit your high beams (that's how they work on my 2014 Tahoe). 

What's a real PITA are the auxiliary driving lights that are aimed at the oncoming traffic and blind those drivers. In Florida you will more than likely be pulled over for those.

[TomoHawk]

So why do the new vehicles have fogs that light up everything for 650 or 60 yards ahead, and to the sides?  I have had occasions when an SUV following me illuminated the trees to both sides!  You can only get that much illumination by aiming the lights UPward.  The shadow of my car straight ahead, was the only dark spot.  Those are the configurations that are causing trouble, but obviously those drivers don't care-  they want safety for their high-speed suburban driving, no matter how it offends other drivers.

[Mike]

6 hours ago, S30Driver said:

The FAA banned only the Galaxy Note 7 on all US flights.  The regular Galaxy S7 is not.  I think the S7 probably uses a different battery.

From my rally days, the lights that Jarvo2 has under the bumper look more like spots to me, not fogs.  If they came with snap on plastic covers, they will be protected from stone damage when driving & not in use.

Ah, yes, you're right it's the Galaxy NOTE, not the regular phone.  But again it's not banned from being on the plane, it's only banned from being USED or CHARGED while on the plane (and also put into checked luggage).  Frankly, if I had one of these I would be looking to get another phone even if I didn't fly a lot.  Who wants all of that grief worrying about the problem.

[Mike]

5 hours ago, dmoralesbello said:

It seems the terms are "fuzzy". Fog lights are supposed to be amber or white lights aimed low along the road surface where the overlying fog would not interrupt the beam and thus allow for safer driving when fog occurs. Fog will render the higher mounted headlights less efficient and using the high beams will make driving even more hazardous because you'll just illuminate the fog and not the road so it's recommended to only use low beams during foggy conditions. Auxiliary fog lights, if switched on, should come on only the when the low beams are on and switch off when you hit your high beams (that's how they work on my 2014 Tahoe).

You do bring up a good point.  Fog lights are different than driving lights but I think the effect on law enforcement or other drivers is the same, especially if they aren't aimed correctly.