chrisg
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 01:34 PM |
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Front fog lights
I drove back from Exeter last Sunday night and I noticed that loads of people were driving about, in good visibility, with their front fog lights
on.
Why?
I've been told by an aquaintance who is a complete chav (note, aquaintance NOT friend) that displaying your front fog lights is a signal to like
minded brain-doners that you are "up for it" ie ready and willing to race all comers.
I know there are plenty of cavemen out there but this can't be the whole story.
I suppose that some people won't have turned them off from the last time it was misty. Notice I said "misty" because according to
the met office "visibility conditions where visibility is reduced to less than 100m are a once every three year occurance, on average in the
UK.
The highway code says
"Rule 226-You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). You
may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves (see Rule 236).
Rule 236-You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226) as they dazzle other road users and can
obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves."
So there you have it. Or do you?
People who never look at the instrument panel and the clinically insane must account for some of these but what about the rest?
Is it to look "cool"?
Is it a deliberate attempt to wind other road users up?
As Ever I have the answer to this growing menace.
Traffic policemen (if you can find one that hasn't been replaced by a camera - don't get me started on that one!) should be equipped with
a small hammer.
When they stop one of these cretins and the formalities have been dispensed with (it's 3 points and a 60 quid fine BTW) the coppers should smash
the fog lights and give the idiot a producer which they can take to the police station for permission to replace the lights. This permission should
only be given when they prove that they've read the highway code and know how to use them properly.
Of course when my plan to take over the world is complete things will be very different.
I plan to make it a capital offence. The miscreant will be slowly peeled with a rusty potato peeler, dipped lightly on a bed of fresh sea salt,
rinsed in vinegar as their finger and toe nails are removed with pliers, punched repeatedly in the face with the words"fog lights" being
chanted and then shot through the head.
Not that it bothers me at all 
Cheers
Chris
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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smart51
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 01:39 PM |
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Front fog lamps are a cost option on some cars or are only fitted to more expensive models. Perhaps some people drive on side lights and front fog
lights to prove how big they are for driving a slightly more expensive car? I think that's the main reason for buying BMWs.
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prawnabie
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 01:42 PM |
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Ive always wanted car makers to configure the front fog lights so they can only come on when the rears are on - I reckon that would stop it!
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chrisg
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 01:45 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by smart51
Front fog lamps are a cost option on some cars or are only fitted to more expensive models. Perhaps some people drive on side lights and front fog
lights to prove how big they are for driving a slightly more expensive car? I think that's the main reason for buying BMWs.
So, it's a knob waving contest?
Possible...
Cheers
Chris
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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coozer
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 02:34 PM |
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Only tossers drive with fog lights on when there isn't any fog. They are dangerous to other road users.
I just do not see the point in them, especially on the front, as we hardly ever get fog thats thick enough to reduce visibility enough so you cant see
the next corner.
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 02:44 PM |
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Do BMWs have front fog lights because they don't have any indicators?? Has anyone ever been prosecuted for incorrect use of fog lights? Have
seen a couple of cars today with fog lights on around Cambridge in brilliant sunshine . Almost as bad as bass boxes late at night in stationary cars
parked outside my house . When your plan for world domination takes place Chris can you ban them as well
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 03:21 PM |
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While walking in London a few years ago, I saw a BMW flagged down at one of the "Ring of Steel" police checkpoints. "Turn those fog
lights off!" the policeman shouted at the driver - who looked like he couldn't give a stuff. I'd bet £10 that he turned them back
on round the corner.
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flak monkey
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 03:32 PM |
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It is one of the things currently winding me up every time I go out driving.
I drive a lot in the dark and probably 25% of cars are driving around with their front fogs on. On VW and Audis you have to have the front and rear
ones, theres no independant switch on most models.
Its dangerous to other road users, especially in the wet as the glare is unbelievable.
I have taken to blinding people coming the other way with them on with my xenons if there is no-one else around.
Had a bloke in an Audi ovetake me last night, then pull in close. Was happy to let him past as he had his front fog lights on. Wasnt until he got past
that I realised he had his rear one on too. It was chucking it down with rain, as well which made it worse. So every now and again I flashed my main
beams at him. At the next layby he pulled in, must have assumed there was something wrong with his car as I kept flashing him! Hopefully he didnt turn
his lights off before he got out to have a look!
Its also annoying when people are following you with them on too. I have tried flashing rear fog lights at people, but it doesnt seem to work.
But then again, some people are ignorant. Would be nice to see a bit of a crack down on it though.
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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chrisg
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 03:34 PM |
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He wouldn't have if the PC Had a little hammer would he David? (edit David J)
Chrisg - the voice of reason
Cheers
Chris
I'd give the driver a tap with the hammer too
[Edited on 22/11/08 by chrisg]
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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bigrich
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 04:30 PM |
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front fogs are a particular hate of mine, side lamps with fogs in the dark instead of dipped headlamps "ARE NOT COOL"
I agree with Chris regarding a police hammer or another drivers wheel brace at the traffic lights to implement a little swift justice.
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A pint for the gent and a white wine/fruit based drink for the lady. Those are the rules
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chrisg
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 05:04 PM |
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We ought to tool up and going looking for the b@st@rds!
Who's with me.........?!
Cheers
Chris
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 05:30 PM |
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Even worse many of the knob ends are now fitting the cheap Chinese HID kits to the front fogs, the glare is unbelievable 
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chrisg
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 05:46 PM |
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Very true Mike, all the pond life round here are doing that.
Cheers
Chris
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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jacko
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 06:05 PM |
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Volvo lights
Is volvo driving lights getting brighter ?
that should be hit with a hammer
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JoelP
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 08:04 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
Has anyone ever been prosecuted for incorrect use of fog lights?
my mate got pulled for having his fogs on, they then found he didnt even have a license! So he vaguely got prosecuted for it. 
Ive been very tempted to follow these people home, and cut the wires late at night. They wouldnt even realise they didnt work! Or on newer cars, wire
up a hidden bulb so the warning doesnt come on
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chrisg
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| posted on 22/11/08 at 08:43 PM |
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Two true stories
A mate of mine has a big american pick up with a roll bar over the cab with 8 cibies on it. We spent a couple of hours lining them up so that they
shine straight in the eyes of an oncoming car displaying fog lights. I said "don't you think that might be a bit dangerous?"
He said"f**k 'em".
One of the local d*ckheads wouldn't turn his foglights off so his neighbours covered them with silver carpet tape. He didn't notice for
three weeks.
Cheers
Chris
Note to all: I really don't know when to leave well alone. I tried to get clever with the mods, then when they gave me a lifeline to see the
error of my ways, I tried to incite more trouble via u2u. So now I'm banned, never to return again. They should have done it years ago!
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