Fog lights, for a long, have had a misconception on their use. In most cases, a particular driver will either use it for the wrong purposes or not use it at all. Not any more!
Firstly, the front fog lights are situated, right below the headlights, and are very close to the surface of the road. At the back of the car, there are the rear fog lights. All vehicles should have rear fog lights before they operate on the road. The rear fog lights are red( the same as your brake light) identifies your car in low visibility weather conditions to other drivers. The front fog lights help you maneuver through the fog. They are angled downwards. They reflect the fog off hence illuminate the way ahead. The headlights are practically impossible to see through the fog.
So technically, one should turn on the front fog lights, if he/she cannot see through a 100 Meter (328 feet) ahead. Also, use them in these instances :
During Heavy Snow
For instance, you are on your way home, and all of a sudden its starts snowing. The snow increases and as expected, it becomes really difficult to see the road. In this instance, turn on the fog lights. The headlights alone cannot produce just the right amount of light to penetrate through the way.
Check this too: Why Are My Car Indicators Suddenly Flashing Faster?
During Heavy Rainfall
If it’s possible, during heavy rainfall, one should stop driving. In the case that you urgently need to drive make sure that you drive slowly, avoid heavy braking, use the windscreen wipers and most importantly use the fog lights. The fog light will help you see through the heavy downpour, together with the headlights.
NOTE: In some states, an accident caused by improper use of fog lights during such conditions may invalidate your insurance.
Some cars don’t come with front fog light. Therefore, it is the driver’s responsibility to install them.
Can I Use Fog Lights Instead Of Headlights?
One cannot use headlights in the place of fog lights. Headlights reflect the moisture in the air and are purposed to navigate long ranges of the road. They are circular, compared to the rectangular-shaped fog lights. Headlights are therefore supposed to be used any time from sunset to sunrise. Fog lights, on the other hand, are specifically designed to light up near distances. They can cut through the fog and can light about 10 to 40 inches afar.
Why is it Illegal to drive with your fog lights on?
The highway code (Rule 236) warns that one should only use the fog light when there is low visibility. When visibility resumes, they should turn them off. This is because the fog lights can dazzle an oncoming driver’s sight, hence affecting his/her driving.
In the UK, the street lights are placed 183 meters apart. Therefore, if you cannot see the next street light, you should turn on the front fog lights.
For some of the states in the US, fog lights can be used under a particular range. For example in Oregon, a driver who uses the fog light must not be within 500 feet from an incoming vehicle and 350 feet from a car behind.
Do fog lights help at night?
Yes, they do. Whether it is a clear or foggy night, there is always low visibility for the driver at night. For that, a driver should turn on the car’s headlights and the fog light to see effectively. These fog lights act as an enhancement to the headlights during the nighttime.
Can you drive at Night with only fog lights?
No, you cannot. As stated above, the front fog lights only light up the near distance. In this scenario, it would be hard to see things/objects which are in the long range. Therefore, solely using your fog lights, is putting yourself at risk of an accident.
Do fog lights help in the rain?
Well, if it is light rain, there is a high chance you can drive just with the headlights on. However, if it is heavy rain, you should use fog lights to help you move.
Are yellow or white fog lights better?
Yes, they are. The yellow fog light, for instance, has a wider wavelength fit to penetrate the fog much better. Furthermore, it is tolerant to the human eye, thus the most preferred fog light. The white fog light has a shorter wavelength, yet, it is bright and easily noticeable during a fog hence recommendable.
Check this too: What Are the Best Headlights for Night Driving?
There are other colored front fog lights (red, blue, and purple) which in some US states, they are not allowed. These fog lights, if used improperly, may impair another driver’s sight and cause the accident.
With that, you surely know when and when not to use the fog lights. Happy driving!