The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans

matt@theforce · 06-01-2009, 22:14

I've spent the last couple of weeks in France and soon realised how easy it was to spot the brits abroad as nearly all of them were driving with Sidelight and Front Fog Lights on no-matter what time of day it was

and then I noticed that this also applied to most German car drivers too, NO other country of drivers do this so what is the fasination?

Karaibrahim · 06-01-2009, 22:16

Pretty pointless, I would say. But don't worry - most of Bulgarian drivers do it too.

daveyonthemove · 06-01-2009, 22:21

The UK is full of idiots who feel the need to have fog lights on but only use sidelights.
They don't make the car look cool/clever/smart they make the driver look stupid.
I don't think i have used my foglights yet since i bought the car, and we have had some fog lately, but nothing in my area that brought visibilty below 100 metres.

matt@theforce · 06-01-2009, 22:27

I used mine whilst in France as the fog out where my parents were was extremly bad, at one point I pulled over and waited a short while as I couldn't see anything and I didn't know the roads that well but it still doesn't excuse people forgetting to turn them off when not needed

daiking · 06-01-2009, 22:39

Greeks do it (well Cretans at least), ****ers

smstext · 06-01-2009, 23:02

its the look at me i have fogs effect and then a fe think its not warrented to put dips on and waste fuel running them so stick smaller dazzling ones on instead. i really think the government should go back twenty years and do public announcements on adverts like two second rule, middle lane hoggers, fog lights etc.

daveyonthemove · 06-01-2009, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by smstext

its the look at me i have fogs effect and then a fe think its not warrented to put dips on and waste fuel running them so stick smaller dazzling ones on instead. i really think the government should go back twenty years and do public announcements on adverts like two second rule, middle lane hoggers, fog lights etc.

I think they should make more use of the actual traffic police and not rely on cameras for driving offences.
The police are so concerned with catching speeders they forget that being dazzled causes accidents. Hogging lanes cause congestion, and impatient people do silly things to make up time, which can lead to accidents.... the list goes on.
I think they should pull over offenders and give them ONE warning. The details go into a computer about the offence and action taken, and the next time they are pulled for an ofence the computer can tell the police officer what the problem was and what the punishment/warning was and then fine the driver accordingly.
But sadly a camer can't do that so we will just have to put up with drivers who take the mickey know they are unlikely to ever be pulled over....

MoggyTech · 06-01-2009, 23:56

Our local traffic unit had a blitz on these foglight idiots last year. Result, hardly ever see it now. Which proves that a police traffic car is worth more than all the Gatso cameras in Central Scotland.

There were no warnings either, tickets were issued for lighting regs misuse. Beat cars did issue warnings, but traffic guys just pounced from a great height.

I frequently drive the Biggar to Edinburgh road late at night, and see dozens of cars with the front fogs on. One flash of Philips Xtreme lights usually sees the foglights turned off.

snownrock · 07-01-2009, 09:32

This is why we need to see more police on the roads, drove from leeds to swansea on saturday evening and didnt see one police car, but plenty of foglights, middle lane hogging etc.

Tomo1971 · 07-01-2009, 09:48

I have always thought its cos until recently, front fogs were only generally on higher, sporty, luxury models and marques. So, if the young chav had managed to afford a car with fogs on he wanted to show the world he had fog lights and so must be driving a higher spec car.

Not sure thats applicable now as more and more new cars have front fogs on and just down to the look at me stupidity.

The good thing about it is that it gives a good excuse for trafpol to tug them, if ever they are about.

Steve

djswivel · 07-01-2009, 09:59

You're all complaining about young drivers doing this. Down here, it seems to be older drivers who insist on having the sidelights and fogs combo at dusk/dawn.

HZ123 · 07-01-2009, 10:12

I am sorry but I cannot see (no pun intented) as to what the issue is anyway. On many cars, sidelights in the day are not bright enough and day driving on the fog lights provide other motorists with awareness of your presence. Futhermore in the main these lamps are mostly located below the front bumper level so they have little effect on oncoming drivers. With the increases in numbers of cars having 'blue' or 'halogen' illuminations I often find that those lights are the ones that effect on coming drivers. Much of this will surely be resolved as UK cars (all EU) will be speced with 'daylights' from 2011 I believe? Whatever your feelings surely it provides greater safety levels.

yegnold · 07-01-2009, 10:14

I think sidelights serve a purpose in only one situation - when you're parked up at the side of the road. At all other times when you need to illuminate the dials inside your car, the dipped headlights should be lit too. In my opinion!

john_grant358 · 07-01-2009, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt@theforce

I've spent the last couple of weeks in France and soon realised how easy it was to spot the brits abroad as nearly all of them were driving with Sidelight and Front Fog Lights on no-matter what time of day it was

and then I noticed that this also applied to most German car drivers too, NO other country of drivers do this so what is the fasination?

I hate people that drive around with their fog lights on when its not foggy! They think they look so good when in fact its illigal!! Makes me want to turn to murder!

cheezemonkhai · 07-01-2009, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by yegnold

I think sidelights serve a purpose in only one situation - when you're parked up at the side of the road. At all other times when you need to illuminate the dials inside your car, the dipped headlights should be lit too. In my opinion!

Dim dip was a requirement in the UK.

eg when you put sidelights on the dipped beam had to light up a certain amount (not full).

Not sure what happened to that really.

KenONeill · 07-01-2009, 13:12

The only message it sends is "look at me; I am too stupid to use a light switch".

As for the person who claims that "foglights don't dazzle", did you get up early and practice or does making fatuous statements come naturally to you?

Not only do foglights dazzle oncoming traffic due to scatter, but they dazzle you in good conditions by creating a bright patch just in front of your car, thus reducing your ability to see in the lower light area at the far end of your headlight beams.

cjb · 07-01-2009, 13:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenONeill

The only message it sends is "look at me; I am too stupid to use a light switch".

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenONeill

As for the person who claims that "foglights don't dazzle", did you get up early and practice or does making fatuous statements come naturally to you?

Not only do foglights dazzle oncoming traffic due to scatter, but they dazzle you in good conditions by creating a bright patch just in front of your car, thus reducing your ability to see in the lower light area at the far end of your headlight beams.

They dazzle immensely when used in wet weather due to the reflection from the road, as they are aimed low.

cjb · 07-01-2009, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

Dim dip was a requirement in the UK.

eg when you put sidelights on the dipped beam had to light up a certain amount (not full).

Not sure what happened to that really.

EU law made them illegal, I believe. Bloody stupid idea anyway.

cjb · 07-01-2009, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by HZ123

I am sorry but I cannot see (no pun intented) as to what the issue is anyway. On many cars, sidelights in the day are not bright enough

That is what dipped headlights are for.

Fog lights are for.....fog. Or other conditions as dictated by the highway code and/or the contruction and use regulations.

daveyonthemove · 07-01-2009, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by djswivel

You're all complaining about young drivers doing this. Down here, it seems to be older drivers who insist on having the sidelights and fogs combo at dusk/dawn.

I think one person reffered to the culprits being young drivers, not all of us

I agree, older drivers are as bad, but i think most of them either forget to turn them off, or can't be bothered.
It amazes me how many people ignore that bright warning light on the dash to let you know your fog lights are on. I rarely turn mine on as that light bugs the hell out of me, and the minute i'm able to turn them back off i will.

cjb · 07-01-2009, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by yegnold

I think sidelights serve a purpose in only one situation - when you're parked up at the side of the road. At all other times when you need to illuminate the dials inside your car, the dipped headlights should be lit too. In my opinion!

And your opinion is correct.

I wonder if the way to go is a light switch that is only on or off, and then headlights come on with the ignition.

sdenny · 07-01-2009, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by yegnold

I think sidelights serve a purpose in only one situation - when you're parked up at the side of the road. At all other times when you need to illuminate the dials inside your car, the dipped headlights should be lit too. In my opinion!

I agree. I've thought for a long time that the light switch on modern cars should be on/off. If on and ign on, light headlight. if on and ign off, light sidelights.

If you turn front fogs on, then I'm tempted that headlights should go off, but I could be persuaded on that one. All fogs (front rear) should cancel when ign turned off.

It's not that difficult.....

EDIT: Opps beaten to it

yegnold · 07-01-2009, 13:44

I definitely think that main beam should be disabled if you have fog lights lit. That might be a good way of stopping people from using fogs, actually...

daveyonthemove · 07-01-2009, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by yegnold

I definitely think that main beam should be disabled if you have fog lights lit. That might be a good way of stopping people from using fogs, actually...

What if it's dark and foggy?

yegnold · 07-01-2009, 13:49

Have you ever tried illuminating your main beam (ie full beam) in fog?

I'm saying dipped beams should be available but the full beam (what I refer to as main beam

) shouldn't be available if your fogs are illuminated.

The idea of the fogs is that they are not anywhere near eye level, so when the light reflects back off the fog it doesn't reflect in to your eyes. If it's foggy enough to be using fog lights and you illuminate your main beam, you're just going to get bright white light (or a sheet of white fog) immediately in front of your eyes, which does anything but increase the amount you can see

06-01-2009, 22:14	#1
matt@theforce Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Durkar Posts: 3,015 Members Car: Octavia 130pd Elegance Estate Images: 12 Thanks: 161 Thanked 139 Times in 119 Posts	The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans I've spent the last couple of weeks in France and soon realised how easy it was to spot the brits abroad as nearly all of them were driving with Sidelight and Front Fog Lights on no-matter what time of day it was and then I noticed that this also applied to most German car drivers too, NO other country of drivers do this so what is the fasination? __________________ Support Briskoda Join FREEDOM >>> <<< My 04plate modded PD130 Octavia, 123,000 miles SWMBO's 06plate Fabia vRS, 25,000 miles

06-01-2009, 22:16	#2
Karaibrahim Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Posts: 200 Members Car: '07 Fabia vRS Thanks: 29 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans Pretty pointless, I would say. But don't worry - most of Bulgarian drivers do it too.

06-01-2009, 22:21	#3
daveyonthemove Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Stafford and Wrexham Posts: 435 Members Car: Fabia vRS Thanks: 72 Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans The UK is full of idiots who feel the need to have fog lights on but only use sidelights. They don't make the car look cool/clever/smart they make the driver look stupid. I don't think i have used my foglights yet since i bought the car, and we have had some fog lately, but nothing in my area that brought visibilty below 100 metres. __________________ Apparently driving a Skoda makes me the 'underdog', but ask yourself..... why the smug grin?! My vRS Project *Recently Updated*

06-01-2009, 22:27	#4
matt@theforce Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Durkar Posts: 3,015 Members Car: Octavia 130pd Elegance Estate Images: 12 Thanks: 161 Thanked 139 Times in 119 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans I used mine whilst in France as the fog out where my parents were was extremly bad, at one point I pulled over and waited a short while as I couldn't see anything and I didn't know the roads that well but it still doesn't excuse people forgetting to turn them off when not needed __________________ Support Briskoda Join FREEDOM >>> <<< My 04plate modded PD130 Octavia, 123,000 miles SWMBO's 06plate Fabia vRS, 25,000 miles

06-01-2009, 23:02	#6
smstext 2.0 FSI Sport. Join Date: May 2007 Location: oxon Posts: 14,155 Members Car: Octavia Mk2 FSI Sport Thanks: 53 Thanked 479 Times in 432 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans its the look at me i have fogs effect and then a fe think its not warrented to put dips on and waste fuel running them so stick smaller dazzling ones on instead. i really think the government should go back twenty years and do public announcements on adverts like two second rule, middle lane hoggers, fog lights etc. __________________ Briskoda September Camp Meet 2009 click here for details oxon meet August 2009 click here

06-01-2009, 23:56	#8
MoggyTech Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Scotland Posts: 1,622 Members Car: Fabia VRS LE Thanks: 164 Thanked 291 Times in 228 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans Our local traffic unit had a blitz on these foglight idiots last year. Result, hardly ever see it now. Which proves that a police traffic car is worth more than all the Gatso cameras in Central Scotland. There were no warnings either, tickets were issued for lighting regs misuse. Beat cars did issue warnings, but traffic guys just pounced from a great height. I frequently drive the Biggar to Edinburgh road late at night, and see dozens of cars with the front fogs on. One flash of Philips Xtreme lights usually sees the foglights turned off.

07-01-2009, 09:32	#9
snownrock Pedal pedal! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: From Leeds, Live in Swansea Posts: 1,004 Members Car: 2008 Fabia3 1.9Tdi Estate Images: 7 Thanks: 55 Thanked 49 Times in 49 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans This is why we need to see more police on the roads, drove from leeds to swansea on saturday evening and didnt see one police car, but plenty of foglights, middle lane hogging etc. __________________ Tom:Brilliant Silver 08/58 Fabia3 1.9TDi Combi

07-01-2009, 09:48	#10
Tomo1971 Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 806 Members Car: Octy MkII vRS TDi Thanks: 18 Thanked 50 Times in 47 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans I have always thought its cos until recently, front fogs were only generally on higher, sporty, luxury models and marques. So, if the young chav had managed to afford a car with fogs on he wanted to show the world he had fog lights and so must be driving a higher spec car. Not sure thats applicable now as more and more new cars have front fogs on and just down to the look at me stupidity. The good thing about it is that it gives a good excuse for trafpol to tug them, if ever they are about. Steve __________________ My Car - 2007 Octavia vRS TDI in Diamond Silver-Cruise Control-Parking Sensors-Light Assisit/Auto Wipers-Bluetooth-Jumbo Pack For Work - 2004 Landrover Freelander TD4 Commercial - Owned and run by me Something for Weekend - My Bed

07-01-2009, 09:59	#11
djswivel 18 Patio Slabs! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Falmouth, Cornwall Posts: 1,138 Members Car: Fabia vrs Images: 4 Thanks: 124 Thanked 67 Times in 60 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans You're all complaining about young drivers doing this. Down here, it seems to be older drivers who insist on having the sidelights and fogs combo at dusk/dawn. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/lackofpower

07-01-2009, 10:12	#12
HZ123 Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 185 Members Car: Thanks: 3 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans I am sorry but I cannot see (no pun intented) as to what the issue is anyway. On many cars, sidelights in the day are not bright enough and day driving on the fog lights provide other motorists with awareness of your presence. Futhermore in the main these lamps are mostly located below the front bumper level so they have little effect on oncoming drivers. With the increases in numbers of cars having 'blue' or 'halogen' illuminations I often find that those lights are the ones that effect on coming drivers. Much of this will surely be resolved as UK cars (all EU) will be speced with 'daylights' from 2011 I believe? Whatever your feelings surely it provides greater safety levels.

07-01-2009, 10:14	#13
yegnold didn't burn him Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Worcester / Hereford Posts: 2,266 Members Car: Skoda Fabia VRS Images: 5 Thanks: 436 Thanked 193 Times in 165 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans I think sidelights serve a purpose in only one situation - when you're parked up at the side of the road. At all other times when you need to illuminate the dials inside your car, the dipped headlights should be lit too. In my opinion! __________________ Ed TRACKDAY - Hullavington Airfield 31st July 2009 - £99 - free 20 minute track tuition session if we can get 10 cars booked in. Deadline for booking 10th July 2009

07-01-2009, 13:12	#16
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally in Scotland! Posts: 14,044 Members Car: Octavia TDi110 Thanks: 88 Thanked 806 Times in 781 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans The only message it sends is "look at me; I am too stupid to use a light switch". As for the person who claims that "foglights don't dazzle", did you get up early and practice or does making fatuous statements come naturally to you? Not only do foglights dazzle oncoming traffic due to scatter, but they dazzle you in good conditions by creating a bright patch just in front of your car, thus reducing your ability to see in the lower light area at the far end of your headlight beams.

07-01-2009, 13:44	#23
yegnold didn't burn him Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Worcester / Hereford Posts: 2,266 Members Car: Skoda Fabia VRS Images: 5 Thanks: 436 Thanked 193 Times in 165 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans I definitely think that main beam should be disabled if you have fog lights lit. That might be a good way of stopping people from using fogs, actually... __________________ Ed TRACKDAY - Hullavington Airfield 31st July 2009 - £99 - free 20 minute track tuition session if we can get 10 cars booked in. Deadline for booking 10th July 2009

07-01-2009, 13:49	#25
yegnold didn't burn him Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Worcester / Hereford Posts: 2,266 Members Car: Skoda Fabia VRS Images: 5 Thanks: 436 Thanked 193 Times in 165 Posts	Re: The New Fog Light trend has spread to Germans Have you ever tried illuminating your main beam (ie full beam) in fog? I'm saying dipped beams should be available but the full beam (what I refer to as main beam ) shouldn't be available if your fogs are illuminated. The idea of the fogs is that they are not anywhere near eye level, so when the light reflects back off the fog it doesn't reflect in to your eyes. If it's foggy enough to be using fog lights and you illuminate your main beam, you're just going to get bright white light (or a sheet of white fog) immediately in front of your eyes, which does anything but increase the amount you can see __________________ Ed TRACKDAY - Hullavington Airfield 31st July 2009 - £99 - free 20 minute track tuition session if we can get 10 cars booked in. Deadline for booking 10th July 2009

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