«You should NOT use front or rear fog lamps unless visibility is severely restricted (see Rule 226), as they may dazzle other road users and obscure your brake lamps. You MUST turn it off when visibility improves. Fog lights should only be used in fog when visibility falls below 100 metres (328 feet), which is approximately the length of a football field, which is specified in the Highway Code (Rule 226). Rear fog lights can obscure your brake lights and prevent following drivers from noticing that you are braking. Both fog lamps and rear fog lamps generate unnecessary glare in good visibility, which can dazzle and annoy other road users. In the UK, street lights on roads at 30 mph are not more than 200 yards (183 meters) away. So, a good rule of thumb for using your fog lights is whether you can see the streetlight closest to the road you`re passing. Use this rule, and it is clear that fog lights should only be used in the most foggy or snowy conditions. You`ll usually find fog lights mounted on mid- and higher-sized models, partly as an aesthetic feature that sets these cars apart from the simplest versions. They`re also useful for helping you drive in fog, but if you spend time driving in the UK in bad weather, you`ll probably come across a driver who doesn`t know how to use them properly. Car headlights have come on by leaps and bounds in recent years, making fog lights almost useless these days. However, UK law states that a fog light must be included in the taillights at the rear of a car, while fog lights are a useful supplement that car manufacturers can use to attract buyers of higher-specification models.

To help motorists stay as safe as possible, we`ve put together a guide with useful information on how to drive in fog and when to use your fog lights. Rule 226 of the Highway Traffic Act states: «You may also use front or rear fog lights, but you MUST turn them off when visibility improves. Before moving away, drivers should make sure they check that their lights are working properly. Once the fog has dissipated, turn off your fog lights. If you interrupted your trip, it`s possible that the fog lights turned off on their own when you turned off your car`s ignition, so they won`t come back on until you turn them on yourself. But try to check if they are permanently off if you are still driving with the headlights on. During the autumn/winter season, when the risk of fog is greater, it is important to ensure that your car is in the best condition to cope with the conditions in front of it, so it is strongly advised to check that your lights are working before starting: «Then use your brakes so that your brake lights warn the drivers behind you, that you slow down. Obviously, fog lights aren`t necessary when it`s dry, and it doesn`t make much sense to turn them on when it`s dark. Lamp housings don`t have the same type of reflectors as high beams, so they`re unlikely to give you extra light so you can see where you`re going.

Another no-no is to use fog lights when it gets wet. The extra brightness of fog lights is doubled by their reflection on a wet road surface, while the bright red light can cause other vehicle windows to dazzle when it rains. Fog lights can also be a distraction, especially if they are poorly adjusted and cause blinding reflections. There is the possibility of slow travel times by road, as well as delays in bus and train traffic and the possibility of cancelling flights. All cars must be equipped with rear fog lights, as this is required by law. The one that shows a lamp pointing to the left and with lines pointing diagonally down through the vertical wavy line is for your fog lights. If the fog has cleared, you should turn off your fog lights as you may dazzle other road users. Pay attention to prevailing weather conditions – while fog usually forms early in the morning, it melts when the sun rises, so if you started your day with fog lights on, be sure to assess the situation further and turn it off when the weather is clear.

Motorists are advised to use their lights as prescribed and keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front, as taillights can give a false sense of security. These are the fog light icons you look for when you want to turn them on. They`re usually found on a button on the dashboard, on a steering wheel handle, or next to the dial you use to control your usual lights. The Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, 1989 prohibit the use of front and rear fog lamps to dazzle other drivers when visibility is not restricted or when the vehicle is parked. If your car is equipped with automatic lights that activate in low light conditions, remember to check that the lights are on, as they may not be activated automatically in fog.