Abdabz

I have a massive problem with people using fog lights - I really do and here is my story...
Once upon a time (back in decades gone by) only bigger posher cars had both front and back fog lights. Little cars only had back ones (ahhh).
Then in the 1990's god decreed that poor people should also be allowed to see where the kerbs and middle of the roads were in foggy conditions.

Poor people rejoyced (hurrah) and due to the darkness caused by
their "Sharon and Darren" stickers on their windscreens, they were "forced" into switching them on regardless of law, weather conditions, dazzling other drivers etc.

Then came the birth of the Saxo - in the manual there is a subliminal message that says and I quote "If you have a shaved head, and drive with one hand at 12 o clock on the steering wheel, then it is cool YES COOL to drive round with your foglights on"...
Soon the phenomenon caught on. Dads wanting to regain their lost youth followed suit to be cool and respected by their teenage kids.
Pretty soon it became socially acceptable and now we find ourselved debating if its OK to be selfish on the road.

Why only have the front ones on? Why not the back too? Baffles me that!!

For those driving behind me that use them when you shouldnt - well I look forward to you checking out my back ones until you get the message. For those coming towards me, well I look forward to continuing to place both fogs and full beams on - enjoy the blobs in your eyes - Im chuffin sick of em!! ...ya saddos!!

P

Its not big and its not clever...


Oh and If there is a seperate switch on your dash for these "spot lights" with some lines on and a "Squiggle" through them then they are FOG LIGHTS!!!

MTR

Rozzer, I agree.

However if you wished to rewire fog lights to function as driving lights then
could you please confirm if you agree with my interpretation of the:

http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uks...n_10.htm#nsch5

Statutory Instrument 1989 No. 1796
The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 - continued
PART II

REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO OPTIONAL MAIN-BEAM HEADLAMPS
Any number may be fitted and the only requirements prescribed by these Regulations in respect of any which are fitted are those specified in paragraphs 7, 10 and 12(a) of Part I and, in the case of a motor vehicle first used on or after 1st April 1991, paragraph 5 of Part I.

WITH AMENDMENT AS PER

http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/s...42280_en_1.htm

Statutory Instrument 1994 No. 2280
The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 1994

(2) In paragraph 13 of Part I of Schedule 2—
(a) in the definition of "approval mark", the words "motor" and "or any trailer" in sub-paragraph (b) shall be omitted; and
(b) for the definition of "British Standard mark", there shall be substituted—
""British Standard mark" means—
(a) the mark indicated in the specification for photometric and physical requirements for lighting equipment published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS 6102: Part 3: 1986 namely "6102/3"; or

(b) the mark indicated in the specification for photometric and physical requirements for lighting equipment published by the British Standards Institution under the reference BS 6102: Part 3: 1986 as amended by AMD 5821 published on the 29th April 1988, namely "6102/3"." .

AND

http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/s...63016_en_1.htm

Statutory Instrument 1996 No. 3016
The Road Vehicles Lighting (Amendment) Regulations 1996

(Specifically this section)

(2) The requirements of the Schedules to these Regulations, so far as they require any lamp, reflector or device to bear a particular standard mark (or one of two or more standard marks), shall not apply to a lamp, reflector or device if it is fitted to a relevant vehicle and—
(a) in the case of a lamp or device, it meets the requirements as to intensity; and

(b) in the case of a reflector, it meets the requirements as to coefficient of luminous intensity,

of the instrument to which the standard mark (or as the case may be one of those standard marks) relates.

**********

My understanding of the lighting regulations I have quoted would appear to indicate that IF a 'fog light' was rewired in accordance with the requirements of section 10 of Part 1 of The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, quote

**************

10. Electrical connections-

(a) Every main-beam headlamp shall be so constructed that the light emitted therefrom-


(i) can be deflected at the will of the driver to become a dipped beam, or

(ii) can be extinguished by the operation of a device which at the same time either-

(A) causes the lamp to emit a dipped beam, or

(B) causes another lamp to emit a dipped beam.

(b) Where a matched pair of main-beam headlamps is fitted they shall be capable of being switched on and off simultaneously and not otherwise.


AND

it complies with the notes regarding Statutory Instrument 1996 No. 3016
refering to light intensity and reflector coefficient of luminous intensity,

Then it will be legal? Irrespective of Kite mark definition.

I know this isn't the question asked, but I thought I would expand the debate.

Cheers
MTR

oakleaf

Yep and most drivers understand about 10% of the above drivel/gobledegook
And either DO NOT pay any attention to it or just skim the surface and say whatever.
I have to deal with the NOVA minded brigade every day and they
(Sorry to those Nova drivers who are sensible) take the ****

I get several calls a week about headlamps but most of the owners do not know the difference between Dipped beam and main beam
So what what do I do ???? Act like a ***** and lambaste everyone or just accept that every one is semi perfect and carry on



Mike

SiDHEaD

If the car behind has front fogs on i allow them past then follow them for the rest of their journey with my 2x120w of driving lights + main beam.

Andy

r32

Not big and not clever to drive with fogs on, a friend of mine got a fixed penalty for doing it, he doesnt have them on all the time now!

Sorry to the saxo brigade but I do find they dazzle.
Swith the feckin things off...................