Drivers across Europe face penalties for the widespread misuse of fog lights, often unaware of specific regulations governing their activation.
Many motorists activate their vehicle’s fog lights unnecessarily, a common practice that can lead to fines.
Reasons for improper use include forgetting to switch them off after conditions improve or, in some instances, deliberately employing them for aesthetic reasons or to inconvenience other drivers.
Authorities in European nations, referring to national highway codes, prohibit the use of fog lights when visibility is not genuinely impaired.
Penalties for wrongful activation can range from approximately $32 to $162 USD, depending on local regulations.
Fog lights are a crucial safety feature designed for specific adverse conditions.
Front fog lights are intended to improve road illumination during periods of limited visibility, such as in fog, heavy rain, snowfall, or through clouds of smoke or dust.
Rear fog lights serve to make a vehicle more visible to traffic behind it during intensely reduced visibility conditions.
These lights should be engaged only from dusk to dawn, or during daylight hours when meteorological or environmental factors significantly decrease visibility.
Conversely, it is strictly forbidden to use fog lights when weather or environmental conditions do not necessitate their operation.