I’m a car expert… you risk a £30 fine if you ‘misuse’ your fog lights in the winter – stay alert & know the rules
DRIVERS have been warned against misusing their fog lights in winter as they risk a fine and points on their licence.
Peter Wadell, CEO of BigWantsYourCar, urged motorists to avoid the common error as the weather turns cold.
As the days get shorter and the nights grow darker, many Brits might be tempted to use a handy switch to improve visibility on gloomy roads.
The button, marked with a symbol featuring a backwards D with three lines coming from it, activates the fog lights on your motor.
Fog lights are a legal requirement and can be used in extremely low visibility, such as thick fog or mist.
However, many might be unaware that there are very strict rules governing their use.
Peter explained: “It’s a common misconception that fog lights must always be on during winter or rainy weather.
“Many drivers don’t know that it is actually illegal to use your fog lights when they are not needed.
“This is because they can do more harm than good, dazzling other drivers and potentially causing other accidents.”
Misusing the lights could see you slapped with a £30 fine on the spot, as well as some points added to your licence.
Nonetheless, Peter emphasised that drivers should be aware of the button and make use of it when visibility drops below around 300ft, about the length of a football pitch.
He added: “We recommend using fog lights when visibility is significantly reduced, such as in heavy fog or mist where you can’t see more than 100 metres ahead.
“This is not just a safety practice but a requirement according to the Highway Code to ensure you and other road users are safe.
“Usually, it involves activating the headlights first, followed by locating and operating the fog light control, often found on the indicator stalk or a dashboard button.”
If you struggle to find your fog light switch, you can consult your owner’s manual for more information.
Just remember to switch them back off once visibility improves.
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