Use of Fog Lights - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

redhotxr8 · 07-10-2003, 00:41

Hey All,

I was on the cruise with the NSW boys and girls last weekend and there was some talk of the use of fog lights. It appears that some people have been fined for using the lights when its not "foggy".

Anyone out there know the exact use permissable etc and mabey where to find the laws.

This will effect all T series owners and BA's not to mention others.

xeespghia · 07-10-2003, 00:53

cant remember where i read but this is true. You can now be fined for using the bottom fog lights when its not foggy. When i had my my00 rex i used to get hassled by dudes when using them in normal conditions, which is probably rightful so!!

redhotxr8 · 07-10-2003, 01:31

OK I have since done some digging on my own and the law shows as follows:
242 Australian Road Rules
215 Using lights when driving at night or in hazardous
weather conditions
(1) A driver must not drive at night, or in hazardous weather
conditions causing reduced visibility unless:
(a) the headlights, tail lights and number plate light fitted to
the driver�s vehicle are operating effectively and are
clearly visible; and
(b) if the vehicle is fitted with clearance lights or side marker
lights � those lights are operating effectively and are
clearly visible.
Offence provision.
Note 1 Driver�s vehicle and night are defined in the dictionary.
Note 2 Drive includes be in control of � see the definition in the
dictionary.
Lights and warning devices Part 13
Lights on vehicles (except bicycles, animals and animal-drawn vehicles) Division 1
Rule 216
(2) However, this rule does not apply to a driver if the driver�s
vehicle is stopped or parked at a place on a length of road, or in
an area, to which a parking control sign applies and the driver
is permitted to stop or park at that place under the Australian
Road Rules.
Note Length of road and parking control sign are defined in the
dictionary.
(3) Also, a driver driving during the day in fog, or other hazardous
weather conditions causing reduced visibility, may drive
without the headlights of the driver�s vehicle operating if the
vehicle is fitted with front fog lights and those lights are
operating effectively and are clearly visible.
(4) In subrule (1), a reference to a kind of light fitted to a vehicle is
a reference to a light of that kind required to be fitted to the
vehicle under another law of this jurisdiction.

Link is http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregul...nloads/p13.pdf

Rodderz · 07-10-2003, 01:38

One answer i have been trying to find out is the use of fog lights at night. Does it have to be foggy at night as well for it to be permissible to turn on the fog lights?

I live and frequently drive in semi-rural areas and the standard light setting alone isnt all that bright, and fog lights help to see better straight and to the side before corners etc where there are no street lighting. At day, fair enough it's only wank factor that they are used...but night i'de say the better the vision for the driver the better, as long as they are not blinding to others.

I have sent an email to vicroads and vic police last week but had no replies of yet

xeespghia · 07-10-2003, 01:40

I think they are also good for oncoming cars seeing you a lot better. YOu can spot the foggies from a mile away.

Night_Lurker · 07-10-2003, 01:46

What I find a little disturbing is they have banned the fairmont ghia ones, yet they are no brighter than the parking lights (more for show). But they let those cockheads with aftermarket ones (and standard) that have them pointed upwards blinding everyone. So from now on anytime I see a SS (don't see as many XR's with them like that) they will get a full high beam from my car.

ebxr8240 · 07-10-2003, 01:57

Lights on through the day is realy safer. Some countries like Canada have laws saying that a car must have lights on while car is driven. They are special lights though. Some cars with fog lights have been changed to spot light lens and are too bright.In the country or long distance I often put fog lights on when in WRX..

Aussie Pete · 07-10-2003, 17:16

I hate foggies being used full stop!

LTDHO · 07-10-2003, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie Pete

I hate foggies being used full stop!

They are a nuisance. Good for the driver bad for other road uses.

EDFUTURA · 07-10-2003, 19:20

I definitely have an issue with fog lights that are really bright being used during the day (from what people are saying tho, if they're bright they might in fact be spotties, not fog lights?).

I also in fact find even dim ones distracting at times when they disappear and reappear as the car behind or oncomming that has them goes thru dips and undulations etc. (worse the lower the car).

98% of the time I'm on the road during the day I have my normal headlights on (low beam) - and have no objection to other cars having normal headlights on unless they're on high beam - wankers with caravans are good for that (like as if they're especially hard to see) and I'm not mistaking rear end sag either - at least not every time, because 8 out of 10 will dip their lights when I flash them with my hibeam... dickheads!