All the cars carry rear fog lights, but not all integrate the forwards. All drivers know that there are such specific headlights for dense winter days, but not everyone is sure how to use them.
and the answer to the question (when do you have to put the fog lights on?) is key to safety: a motorist must see and his car be seen, and in no case can dazzle or annoy others. By default and by excess, it is about of a matter of road safety and economy: the fines are, at worst, 200 euros.
Are they mandatory?
Cars usually have two white light front fog lamps and another rear in red: the rear is required by law.
Usually, in both cases, they work when the low beams are on and they have more intensity, and also emit a more dispersed beam of light. Since this is more penetrating (it bounces less off the flakes or water droplets), the fog lights they illuminate better when the weather is adverse and become more visible in the distance.
When should fog lights be used?
Logic dictates that fog lights should be used when the fog falls but the law adds other assumptions. Article 106 of the traffic regulations is in charge of them, and specifies that the taillights must be lit “when the weather or environmental conditions are especially unfavorable, as in the case of thick fog, very heavy rain, heavy snow, or dense clouds of dust or smoke”.
The standard also mentions in another section the front, when decrease “significantly visibility” due to circumstances similar to the above. The difference, in this case, is that you can use dipped beams or long beams or fog lights, as appropriate (or available in the car).
A concrete case
The traffic code includes a very specific case of use for the front fog light: on “sections of narrow roads with many curves, understanding as such those that, having a roadway of 6.50 meters wide or less, are marked with signs that indicate a succession of curves close to each other, regulated in article 149”. Although the law does not indicate it, it is understood that at night.
What is the fine for not using fog lights?
Driving without the corresponding lighting when visibility has decreased, it is considered a serious infraction, and as such is punishable by a fine of 200 euros, but without deduction of points. Otherwise, use the fog lights when it is not necessary, It is considered a minor infraction (up to 100 euros fine).
How do they turn on and how do you know if they are on?
The use of fog lights It varies from one model to another, since they do not always start in the same way. in some cars turn on by pressing a button (pressing once or several times to turn the rear and front lights on and off), two buttons or turning the knob that activates the rest of the lighting. In any case, the icon that identifies these headlights will appear on the instrument panel.
Witness indicating that the lights are on rear fog lights, that should be turned off when the low visibility ends.
Witness indicating that the lights are on front fog lights, that should be turned off when the low visibility ends.