driving lights = 3points

[low au classic]

hey guys i was just reading the local paper down here in the country regions of vic and noticed a story about driving/fog lights
"the bass coast traffic management unit will be targeting motorists who commit lightinh offences oer the next couple of months."
"road rule 217 states a driver must not operate any front or rear fog light unless the driver is driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility"

i think this is the most stupidest thing i read there called driving lights for a reason yeah during the day you shouldnt have them on like you see around on other cars but at night some times you just need that extra bit of light and they are great.
i use them every time i drive my girlfriends r33 skyline at night manly because the headlights arnt that great but the help seing rite in front of you.

i like the there main reason for the law to come in
"the change in the legislation were made due to the large number of complaints made by members of the public about being "Dazzled" by fog lamps being used in clear conditions"
thats so stupid

if you get caught with them on you face a fine from $119.00 - $153.00 and 3 demerit points :

next time you drive at nite do me a favour count the cars with there driving lights its almost every third car

so what do you think about this?
thanks
pat

[Jack91]

To be honest, I think its about time, sure in heavy rain or fog its ok but at night driving up the highway, how is it different to someone leaving their highbeams on? Why dont I leave MY highbeams on with the 2 spotlights at full blast, Im sure you wont be too impressed. Fog lights should be used for fog. Whatever happened to high beam etiquette?

[GT450]

i quite agree it's about time the wallys that do this realise they can be a hazard. Driving lights for driving fog lights for fog it's not that hard to remember.
Cheers
GT450

[merlin]

Good - I only put them on in fog or rain or if out in the sticks on a dark road. They should not be used any other time - fairly simple road rule.

[csv8]

same here in Queensland but I drive down some dark streets and the street lights are crap .Fogs make the road easier to see, without having to put highs on.

[imugli]

Third agree.

As for your comment about every third car using them - that's exactly the reason these fines should be enforced harder than they are. The amount of times I've been blinded from behind by some idiot using their fog or driving lights on a clear night borders on ridiculous.

You might be able to see but I bet the guy in front of you, whose rearview mirror your lights are shining into, can't.

I agree with Davo - no different to having your high beams on.

And isn't their some weird ADR that says driving lights should only be able to be active when you have your high beams on?

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by imugli

Third agree.

As for your comment about every third car using them - that's exactly the reason these fines should be enforced harder than they are. The amount of times I've been blinded from behind by some idiot using their fog or driving lights on a clear night borders on ridiculous.

You might be able to see but I bet the guy in front of you, whose rearview mirror your lights are shining into, can't.

I agree with Davo - no different to having your high beams on.

And isn't their some weird ADR that says driving lights should only be able to be active when you have your high beams on?

Driving lights aren't foglights.. Theres a big difference..

[low au classic]

i find on the newer models they tend to be very bright due to the upgraded bulbs but some you dont notice out here in the country you really need every bit of light

[imugli]

Originally Posted by low au classic

i find on the newer models they tend to be very bright due to the upgraded bulbs but some you dont notice out here in the country you really need every bit of light

Agreed. Open highway, where longer distance visibility is necessary, fine. Not on metro roads where the next car is barely 20 metres in front on most occasions and the roads are lit anyway...

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by low au classic

i find on the newer models they tend to be very bright due to the upgraded bulbs but some you dont notice out here in the country you really need every bit of light

Rubbish. Have you actually seen how much light fog lights give out? Bugger all. They give out light a few metres in front of the car and spread out to the sides. The only real benefit you would see is the edge of the road right in front of your car being lit up.
Doing all my driving in the country as well, I prefer the use of high beams when possible. I don't use the fogs on the 307 at all, except in fog, and only then when another car isn't approaching.
Fog lights are one of my pet hates on the road. They are usually used inappropriately and dazzle oncoming drivers. I'd be glad to see this enforced more.

By the way, this law has been around for years, just never really enforced.

[Zed7fiddy]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

Rubbish. Have you actually seen how much light fog lights give out? Bugger all. They give out light a few metres in front of the car and spread out to the sides. The only real benefit you would see is the edge of the road right in front of your car being lit up.
Doing all my driving in the country as well, I prefer the use of high beams when possible. I don't use the fogs on the 307 at all, except in fog, and only then when another car isn't approaching.
Fog lights are one of my pet hates on the road. They are usually used inappropriately and dazzle oncoming drivers. I'd be glad to see this enforced more.

By the way, this law has been around for years, just never really enforced.

So which is it?

[XR6Runner]

I work a lot of very early mornings so I get to drive through a lot of fog, but I've got to say, not once has having my fog lamps on helped me see through the fog. All it's ever done for me is light up more fog that I can't see through.

[Chilla]

Originally Posted by XR6Runner

I work a lot of very early mornings so I get to drive through a lot of fog, but I've got to say, not once has having my fog lamps on helped me see through the fog. All it's ever done for me is light up more fog that I can't see through.

Driving lights are designed to produce a similar lighting pattern to high beam on your normal lights. Whereas Fog lights produce a flat horizontal beam at a low angle designed to cut through haze and stop the effect of 'increasing the fog blockout'. True Fogs carry yellow lenses and shielded bulbs. Some of the after market Fogs being sold currently, and causing the problem of light dazzle to oncoming traffic, are not actually fogs but 'Driving lights'. This is what the wallopers are dirty on. If you drive a vehicle with factory fitted Fogs and are booked for using them 'during a fog' the ADR compliance for that vehicle will stand up in court.

[Smoke Pursuit]

VX Holdens are the only ones that dazzles.. BA / BF / FGs arent any brighter then the standard bulbs in the headlights, plus they have guards over them / lower position.

[barbarian]

oh geez cry me a river you've been "blinded" by fog logs that sit well below the front bar with a 55w light bulb..

[xygt01]

Originally Posted by barbarian

oh geez cry me a river you've been "blinded" by fog logs that sit well below the front bar with a 55w light bulb..

+1
i think if you go down the road and investigate most cars comeing out of the factory with standard fog/driving lights thet are in the lowar portion of the front bar and are only the basic 55 watt bulb they are therefore no different to the low beam of any car in fact most new cars low beam globs are lots brighter
there are plenty that come out standars with 90 low 130 high for example

it is actually stated some where that it is ilegal to have high wattage globes in these lights

so the rule is not really suitable to all i mean the people who dont dip there lights from high ect should be fined but the standard fog lights ect are not really the problem

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by xygt01

+1
i think if you go down the road and investigate most cars coming out of the factory with standard fog/driving lights that are in the lower portion of the front bar and are only the basic 55 watt bulb

"fog/driving lights"???? You are DESCRIBING TWO *DIFFERENT* lamp types. Each of the two type ALSO have different WIRING & MOUNTING requirements, understand??

YES, front fog lamps are complianced, on a 12volt system at 55watts.
Low-Beam on a 12volt halogen are complianced at 60watts.
High-Beam on a 12volt halogen is complianced at the lower 55watts.

they are therefore no different to the low beam of any car

The BEAM PARAMETERS & CHROMATIC COLOUR CO-ORDINATES (of fogs) ARE 'DIFFERENT' to LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, ONLY the WATTAGE is similar.

DRL's are also "DIFFERENT" TO ALL OTHER "FRONT LAMPS", just in case.
SO too are 'CORNERING LAMPS'.

in fact most new cars low-beam globes are lots brighter
there are plenty that come out standard with 90 low 130 high for example

THAT IS NOT "STANDARD", but a DEFECT.

it is actually stated some where that it is illegal to have high wattage globes in these lights

LOL, at ADR and NVS per directly above; a defect, OKAY?

so the rule is not really suitable to all i mean the people who dont dip there lights from high etc, should be fined, but the standard fog lights ect are not really the problem

About those speed-limits, I think we need to reduce the States maximum to 90km/h to suite 'the average Aussie".

Happy new financial year to you!

[Mark s]

I have a BA XR and the fog lights make bugger all difference to low beams from the drivers seat. To me the whole thing is "Look at me" Thats the only reason most people use them.

One thing that I have found very dangerous, is on my motorbike. Some of the roads I ride alone early in the morning and also late at night, dont have street lights and there are no markers on the sides of the road.

For those who live in the Hawkesbury and know Grose Vale Rd and Kurmond Rd know what I am talking about. These roads twisty and no marking to the sides be it lines or cats eyes.

Come through these roads of a night time with lighting not up to the same standard as a car and get an eye full of low beam + flog lights and you dont see a thing. You basically have to almost come to a stop in fear of riding off the road.

Still I guess that is my problem and I should ride through on high beam and blind everyone coming towards me or basically not ride at all so people can keep look cool with flog lights on.

Still it's not their problem, so why should they give a rats about other road users. It's a storm in a tea cup, and why should anyone bother about following the road rules when it can endanger other road users.

Maybe we should blame the RTA, state Govt or the local council. I will tell my wife to blame them if by chance I come off the road and slam into a tree, because I lose sight of the road and miss a corner, due to someone using fog lights in clear conditions.


Sounds tyipical "Bugger you, Jack" to me.

[Zed7fiddy]

I couldnt care about what the law says, whats the first thing they say in 99% of accidents?

"I didnt see him" With fog / Driving lights on it helps them to see you!

This is the reason im Putting orange or LED's on my bike, i got t-boned the other week on it, giving me 2 weeks off work and the bike getting repaired for 8 weeks, this is a siafety issue and i need to be seen more.

[Sourbastard]

I get dazzled by four wheel drives and trucks with low beam because their bumpers are eye level with me. This to me sounds like a good justification to legislate that all 4WD's and trucks drive around with their headlights off at all times.

I DONT get dazzled by the ****y little driving lights unless I lay down on the ground and stare into them from 1 meter away. I think some of you need a teaspoon of concrete powder.

Its ok though, lets all have a group hug and a teary until mister police man makes it all better and your cataracts heal over.

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I DONT get dazzled by the ****y little driving lights unless I lay down on the ground and stare into them from 1 meter away. I think some of you need a teaspoon of concrete powder.

Agreed.

[Fev]

Originally Posted by b2tf

Agreed.

+1.

I get blinded by Honda's and their incredibly bright halogen headlights(aswell as mazda's, BMWs etc). i swear some of them are brighter then my highbeams. i believe the brightness level is getting a bit too high on standard cars and should be regulated more. I find that driving at night, by the end of a 15 min trip on a busy road my eyes are hurting and ive almost got a headache..

[GT69]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I get dazzled by four wheel drives and trucks with low beam because their bumpers are eye level with me. This to me sounds like a good justification to legislate that all 4WD's and trucks drive around with their headlights off at all times.

I DONT get dazzled by the ****y little driving lights unless I lay down on the ground and stare into them from 1 meter away. I think some of you need a teaspoon of concrete powder.

Its ok though, lets all have a group hug and a teary until mister police man makes it all better and your cataracts heal over.

LOL. I find any vehicle sitting on my inside, just behind my rear end dazzles me, and i normally slow down just to let them pass.

Question though, I must admit im going to come out with a statement here that sounds very Ford bias, but do late model commodores have a switch to turn on the driving lights seperately? As in my driving i find 90% of people with driving lights on are commodores, late model (VY - VE) ?

[XRSIKS]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I DONT get dazzled by the ****y little driving lights unless I lay down on the ground and stare into them from 1 meter away. I think some of you need a teaspoon of concrete powder.

2nd agree to this....

I dont have a problem with them, but i dont spend my time staring into the lights of oncoming traffic ...... i'm more focused on the road ahead.

[EgoFG]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I DONT get dazzled by the ****y little driving lights unless I lay down on the ground and stare into them from 1 meter away. I think some of you need a teaspoon of concrete powder.

I reckon the 'foggies' on My Fairmont Ghia would not dazzle anyone under normal driving circumstances.
But I fully support this law.

Too many people drive with extra lights on, and it doubles the glare from an oncoming car.

Even if the extra lights are observably less bright (most appear brighter), I do not want the guy coming the other way to have trouble seeing the road - so I dip them.

If they are aimed nice and low (as foggies should be) then the glare is only doubled when the road is wet.

IMHO, when you are on low beam and the foggies are on - the low beam should be disabled. When you are on High beam, and the foggies are on then you should see like daytime !

And I am uncertain about the law on this - but the Foggy rule should only apply in the same way the High beam rulee applies. Another Car within 300metres (or they dip first).

Darned soap box .... where did that come from ?

[barbarian]

The truth is projector xenon head lights are more "blinding/dazzling" than what the poor fog lights can achieve, and these are pretty much legal on new luxo upper spec cars.

[OLDFORDNUT]

Ecuse my ignorance,aren't fog lights those yellow ones,driving lights(high beam) are completly different

[imugli]

Originally Posted by OLDFORDNUT

Ecuse my ignorance,aren't fog lights those yellow ones,driving lights(high beam) are completly different

VicRoads decription of both mentions nothing of colour but does clarify re Driving Lights and high beam...

Using fog lights
Front fog lights are designed to better illuminate the road in fog, snowfall, rainstorms or dust clouds. They can be recognised by the narrow pattern of light emitted.

Road Rule 217 states that drivers must not use front or rear fog lights unless driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions that cause reduced visibility.

Fog lights cannot be accidentally switched on. They must be switched on separate from the main and dipped beam head lights.


Using driving lights
Driving lights are designed to illuminate the road over a long distance. They are the same as the high beam (main beam) head light and emit the same lighting pattern.

Road Rule 218 states that drivers must not use the high-beam headlights when driving:


less than 200 metres behind a vehicle travelling in the same direction
less than 200 metres from an oncoming vehicle.

Driving lights cannot be accidentally switched on. They can only be switched on and off with the high beam head lights.

Either way, it's pretty clear. Unless in Fog or Hazardous conditions, fog lights shouldn't be used and driving lights should only activate when your high beams are active.

[jcxr]

Originally Posted by imugli

VicRoads decription of both mentions nothing of colour but does clarify re Driving Lights and high beam...



Either way, it's pretty clear. Unless in Fog or Hazardous conditions, fog lights shouldn't be used and driving lights should only activate when your high beams are active.

Then why arent they wired ex factory into the high beam switch? I havent had a look in the handbook but what does Ford say they are, fog or driving?

[low au classic]

i like the fact the cop cars can still use theres when we cant
there going evveryone driving lights and fog lights
i thought they were called driving lights for a reason you use them when you drive simple as that