Motorists are being reminded to use fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced, with unnecessary use potentially dazzling other road users, obscuring brake lights and putting vulnerable road users at greater risk.
Leaving fog lights switched on when conditions have improved can also result in enforcement action, with drivers potentially facing fines and penalty points for careless driving.
Motoring expert Sean Gallimore at motorcycle insurance brand Lexham Insurance says:
“It’s important to follow one simple fog light rule to avoid potential fines and prevent dazzling other motorists on the road, as 46% of road users say blinding headlights make them feel unsafe.
“If heavy rain or spray from the roads genuinely limits your visibility to under 100 metres ahead of you, you absolutely should use your fog lights under Rule 226 of the Highway Code. They cut through rain and spray far more effectively than standard headlights, making you more visible to everyone else on the road. Rear fog lights are particularly important for motorbikes, which are generally harder to spot in poor visibility than a four-wheeled vehicle.
“But Rule 236 says you must not use them unless visibility is seriously reduced. Using them unnecessarily, or forgetting to turn them off once visibility improves, can be treated as careless driving under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. That usually means a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points. If it goes to court, you could face an unlimited fine, up to nine points and a possible driving ban. Dazzling other motorists or hiding your brake lights falls below the standard expected of a careful and considerate driver.
“That risk is even greater for motorcyclists. Very few bikes have front fog lights fitted, so most of the exposure here isn’t about what riders switch on themselves, it’s about what other drivers leave on. A car’s fog lights left on unnecessarily can dazzle a rider at close range with no windscreen to soften the glare, and if your brake lights are obscured by your rear fog light in traffic, a rider often has far less time to react than someone in a car behind you.”
(Picture: Irinaphoto)
