Do You Need Fog Lights To Drive in Inclement Weather?
From regular old halogen lamps to beaming LEDs (light emitting diodes) and daytime running lights, car lights have come a long way with the advent of technology. But, many countries around the world require car companies to include dedicated fog lamps in their vehicles to make sure they’re well equipped to provide the driver with sufficient visibility on the road, no matter how rough the weather gets. Aside from helping you see ahead, they also make your presence known to other drivers in low-visibility conditions which is why they can be potentially lifesaving!
If you’re reading this article, then chances are that you also have a pair of fog lights on your car but aren’t sure when you should use them. You’re in the right place! We’ll go over situations where you should and shouldn’t take advantage of your fog lamps to stay safe out there, so keep reading.
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE FOG LIGHTS?
Some people switch their fog lights on even when there’s a slight mist in the air, which isn’t necessary.
Rather, fog lights should ideally stay off unless visibility gets severely restricted, otherwise, they can be counterproductive by blinding bystanders and oncoming traffic.
Sure, if there’s very heavy fog, heavy mist, and wildly inclement weather, those are all conditions where you must turn your fog lights on for your safety. You should also press that red triangle button positioned on your center console to turn on your “hazard lights” which flash and allow traffic to spot you from behind.
Remember that fog lights are primarily designed to make your car visible to others, not to help you see better in foggy or inclement weather. Even the law in some states advises you to only use front or rear fog lights in very limited visibility, and also requires you to switch it off as soon as it gets better.
As a general rule of thumb is that if you can see the next street light on the road, you don’t need your fog lights to be on. Through these standards, you’d only be turning them on in the snowiest, rainiest and foggiest conditions you encounter.
WHEN NOT TO USE FOG LIGHTS
Using fog lights unnecessarily isn’t harmless. In fact, it could cause a fatal accident as you could dazzle other drivers on the road. When you do turn them on upon necessity, don’t forget to turn them on as the fog subsides later on in the day. It’s illegal to have your fog lights turned on in clear weather in many states, so beware!
Rear fog lights are even more dangerous in clear conditions, as they are much brighter than your brake lights. This means that they’ll dazzle the traffic behind you, obscuring your brake lights and highly increasing the chances of a collision.
On foggy days, it’s advisable to avoid driving in the early morning and late night hours as that’s when the fog is at its worst. At noon, the sun comes up and gets rid of the fog to clear the weather up. This makes noon a much safer time slot for you to run your daily errands and get back home safely in such conditions.
BOTTOM LINE
Fog lights are a legal requirement in many places around the world for your safety, but their misuse can also turn into a fatal hazard by dazzling other road users. It’s important to know when to turn your fog lights on and off and use them responsibly as per the legal guidelines of your state.