Not that I want to start some flaming responses, but I must say I am
surprised at the vehemence some have toward fog lights! I have never ever
been "blinded" by a properly installed and aimed set of fog lights and have
never found them distracting in any way. I am not a kid, either, being well
past 50 and having poor eyes (nearsighted, bifocals, and a developing
cataract). Living out in the country, I really appreciate the added
illumination of the road edges, especially when passing an oncoming vehicle.
I am far more bothered by people who leave their high beams on and those new
"blue" lights are really a bit irritating, but I am never bothered by fog
lights.
That being said, some cars do not have fogs, but some semblance of a driving
light (I think Pontiacs are notorious for those) that will blind an oncoming
driver. Those should only be used in conjunction with High Beams, IMHO, when
no other cars are around. Do YOU have fogs? Turn them on at night while
parked close to a wall or garage door. Do they make a thin horizontal beam
of light that is no higher, and usually slightly lower to the ground, than
the lights themselves? That low-aimed, sharp cutoff light is designed to
minimize reflections up where drivers are, precisely what is needed in fog,
and should not disturb other drivers.
Now for some real insanity, why are some fog lights designed to turn off
when high beams are on? If you can run high beams, what problem is there to
run fog lights as well? Truly the fog benefit is cancelled by the high
beams, but why make them turn off?
=Vic=
Bear Gap, PA
>I never use those lights, just because I know what it is like to have them
> shining in my eyes when the occasional "look at me" idiot has his on.
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Big Shoe - 04 Jan 2005 00:06 GMT
I recently had to drive at night on some back roads in rural
Pennsylvania and was continually blinded by fog lights. Everyone had
them on, cars, SUV's, whatever. IMHO, the things should be wired so
that they stay off when the vehicle is turned off so that at least the
blinding drivers would have to turn them on every time they start the
vehicle. I finally had to turn mine on in self defense or drive with
high beams. Note this is not particularly a flame, but I think the
feds have neglected their duty in allowing all these blue lights, fog
lights and so on without regulation.
>Not that I want to start some flaming responses, but I must say I am
>surprised at the vehemence some have toward fog lights! I have never ever
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Kevin D - 04 Jan 2005 03:08 GMT
Flaming responses? C'mon Vic, we're all adults here. We can express
differing opinions and still be civil! Now for my other 2c worth...
You wrote, "I have never ever been "blinded" by a properly installed and
aimed set of fog lights". "Properly installed and aimed" are the operative
terms here. So many people must buy a set of these things and just slap 'em
on, apparently never bothering to aim them properly. Some are so bright and
shine right in my face, that I have to shield my eyes with my left arm until
they pass, so that I can see the road in front of me. I live in central WA,
and often travel to Seattle over mountain passes...not only is it pitch
black at night, but the switchbacks are difficult to navigate if you have
some fool's driving or fog lights in your eyes.
What may be even worse are the boneheads who use the things in the city,
when there is more than adequate street lighting. I assume that they are
mostly kids who think that the lights are "cool", but I suspect that a fair
number of adults are also guilty. I have no problem with people who use
these lights on dark rural roads, when they are properly aimed (a tiny
minority, IMHO). If you take the time to install and aim them properly, you
are probably smart enough to know when to use them, and perhaps more
importantly, when NOT to use them.
Then there are the fools who refuse to dim their high beams, even after
being flashed once or twice. If only people were courteous to each
other...but I'm afraid that aspect of society has been left far in the past.
And yes - my Ex does indeed have driving lights. I've never once used them,
nor do I have any plan to.
Cheers!
Kevin
> Not that I want to start some flaming responses, but I must say I am
> surprised at the vehemence some have toward fog lights! I have never ever
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