Wanted: Sniper

Drax

Must be willing to lie in car boot for long periods of time or hang out of windows at speed. Must have the necessary skills to accurately destroy the bulbs of any fog lamps deemed not to be suitable for the driving conditions at the time.

Photoshopped pictures welcome...

Rabies

Ok....

Fog light time again. The last thread can only be a page or two back. Could you not have used that?

/wanders away

Drax

Nah.... Just a little dream I had on the way to work... It will probably be a case of these threads will only stop when dumb people stop using fog lights ... I meant this thread to see if anyone had any ideas on how we stop this phenomenon. I reckon a few snipers near toll booths could work...

Saruman

Garda enforcement would be a start

$Leon$

Saruman wrote:

Garda enforcement would be a start

The sniper idea is a bit more realistic:)

Hagar

"We can't stop people illegally using fog lights so we have decide to put a penal tax on all fog lights, whether they are used or not."
- Official Spokesman for the Department of Transport*

* This quote may not be 100% true

Jumpy

You need a Trunk Monkey.

endplate

Hagar wrote:

"We can't stop people illegally using fog lights

too right ye can't:D

Tabnabs

Maybe we could borrow some of these?

overdriver

I saw an absolute muppet last night who had fogs and TINY green sidelamps on - you could hardly see them - and his car looked about 8 inches tall.
How much visibilty could he really have? Fogs don't have any throw if they're angled right.
It was the dark section of road from Clonee past the Ratoath turnoff on the N3.

franksm

Was behind a twit in a green Punto heading towards Clonsilla at about 4pm yesterday. It started to rain, so I saw her put on her windscreen wipers, then the headlamps, then the rear fogs came on. I was flashing her and beeping my horn and... all sorts of gesticulations all the way down the road.

PS. I don't mind these rants being repeated. Most threads on Boards are a rehash in some form anyway

kluivert

Thats mad.

Driving home from Naas on Sunday on the M1 a woman in a Saab with her rear fog light on, my mate n i look acrossed and it was a lady woman all dress up to the nineties.

Agr....

lightening

Anyone who drives with their front or back foglights on when it is not foggy is showing indexperience. Keep back from them and watch they don't pull out in front of you on roundabouts, they are the ones who have been driving on the provisional for years.

MarkR

Front fogs don't bother me as long as they don't have the rear ones. Then again I saw a focus in charleville a few weeks ago that had four of the big ones rally style across the bonnet. Wouldn't like to be driving in front of those!

On a related issue, exactly how expensive are headlights for an avensis? They sure are tight with the use of them around here! If they have them on they only use the parking lights. Doing 70 while overtaking in a downpour at twilight.

endplate

lightening wrote:

Anyone who drives with their front or back foglights on when it is not foggy is showing indexperience. Keep back from them and watch they don't pull out in front of you on roundabouts, they are the ones who have been driving on the provisional for years.

And this fact is backed up with what hard evidence?? I've been driving for years got full license use front fogs don't pull out in front of people at roundabouts.

Might be an IBF (internet bullsh*t fact) I guess:D

ballooba

kluivert wrote:

Driving home from Naas on Sunday on the M1 a woman in a Saab with her rear fog light on, my mate n i look acrossed and it was a lady woman all dress up to the nineties.

Yeah, well at least it wasn't a lady boy. :eek:

cjt156

endplate wrote:

And this fact is backed up with what hard evidence?? I've been driving for years got full license use front fogs don't pull out in front of people at roundabouts.

Might be an IBF (internet bullsh*t fact) I guess:D

And why exactly do you use fog lights, I'm assuming you're not Mr Foggy McFog from Foggy Street, Fog Town?

IMO fronts are used 'cos the driver thinks it "looks kewl on de Corsa, bud." Rear fogs are the above who don't know the difference "in all dem buttons loike"

lightening

endplate wrote:

I've been driving for years got full license use front fogs

Back to school sparky, its against the law to drive with your fog lights on if its not foggy!

endplate

cjt156 wrote:

And why exactly do you use fog lights, I'm assuming you're not Mr Foggy McFog from Foggy Street, Fog Town?

IMO fronts are used 'cos the driver thinks it "looks kewl on de Corsa, bud." Rear fogs are the above who don't know the difference "in all dem buttons loike"

ha ha your a comedian roight (nah probably not)

Can't class them as lookin kewl as you put it cos I can't see them. But my answer to your question anyways, when driving on dark country roads I don't find my dips very adequate I even adjusted them upwards to improve them (and yes they passed the NCT) and the extra illumination from the fogs is great. Now before you jump on the anti bandwagon I positioned my car in front of a wall when I adjusted my dips upwards and for the craic I checked my fogs and I found I was lucky enough to have good quality fogs. I got a straight line accross below the line of the dips. Turned dips off no light above the line but plenty below.

Hope that answers your question if it doesn't I don't really care

endplate

lightening wrote:

Back to school sparky, its against the law to drive with your fog lights on if its not foggy!

The names endplate not sparky. That's another user, obviously you don't think your comments through fully enough before you post

lightening

endplate wrote:

The names endplate not sparky. That's another user, obviously you don't think your comments through fully enough before you post

Well kid... your still breaking the law, back to school.

endplate

lightening wrote:

Well kid... your still breaking the law, back to school.

Well if you say so. On second thought no I don't care what you think cos you don't post facts only crap

mukki

factory fitted front fogs (f.f.f.f.) are fine, you can leave them on the whole time,

i suppose it just annoys people the same way you dislike lads in starlet gts with spoiler, alloys and tinted windows

them "budget pimp my ride people" people really annoy me, but i am not sure why ?????

lightening

Look tiger, its the law, if you choose to ignore it... that's your choice. I posted the fact that it is illegal to drive with your fog lights on if its not foggy. Thats not crap, its a fact, all drivers should know this.

Check it out, its in section three of the rules of the road.

endplate

lightening wrote:

Look tiger, its the law, if you choose to ignore it... that's your choice. I posted the fact that it is illegal to drive with your fog lights on if its not foggy. Thats not crap, its a fact, all drivers should know this.

Check it out, its in section three of the rules of the road.

'tiger' probably another user but I presume you are referring to me

the bit about provisional driver jumping in front of you at roundabouts was crap. Sure even the Garda cars use their fogs in clear conditions. Get over it lightening (look I can get your name correct) I'm never gonna listen to you I do choose to ignore it cos the Garda do too anyway front fogs are no problem rears (which I never use) are

daymobrew

endplate wrote:

I've been driving for years got full license use front fogs

According to S.I. 189/1963. Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations fog lights must not be used when there no fog and snow is not falling.

SI 189/1963, Article 49, paragraph 8 wrote:

Where a vehicle equipped with a fog lamp within the meaning of article 44 of these Regulations is used in a public place, such lamp shall be used only in fog or while snow is falling.

(my emphasis for clarity).

lightening

endplate wrote:

cos the Garda do too anyway front fogs are no problem rears (which I never use) are

Never? Well son, you should really use the rear fog lights in the fog. And just because you see a Gard with fog lights on doesn't mean you have to have them on, if the Gard jumped in a river.....

galwaytt

franksm wrote:

Was behind a twit in a green Punto heading towards Clonsilla at about 4pm yesterday.

...tut tut frank.........surely not using a camera phone whilst in control of a Motor Vehicle ....tut tut.....here, have 2 points. No, 4 for posting it......:p

That's not a '5 bonnet, btw...........

franksm

;-)

Don't start on me Galwegian

1. Was stopped at train crossing (but not long enough for me to get out and go postal on the Punani driver)
2. It's a real camer (5MP), not a phone
3, The '5 is resting in Belfast (I need to sort out a rusty sill) so I'm driving a '73 MG for the moment. Well spotted

6ix

I must say, that I never thought of front fog lamps as a problem. I've been drving for the last 5 years, and clocked up plenty of mileage around the country, yet I've never found front fogs in any way dazzling. That includes meeting traffic, and cars behind me. Mis-aligned dips are much more frustrating for me.

Rear fogs, are a different story, I have to pull over/overtake rather than drive behind a glaring rear fog light.

endplate

6ix wrote:

I must say, that I never thought of front fog lamps as a problem. I've been drving for the last 5 years, and clocked up plenty of mileage around the country, yet I've never found front fogs in any way dazzling. That includes meeting traffic, and cars behind me. Mis-aligned dips are much more frustrating for me.

Rear fogs, are a different story, I have to pull over/overtake rather than drive behind a glaring rear fog light.

Couldn't agree more with you rear's are the problem just some people get a bit mixed up probably those that aren't driving yet and think they are an authority on the subject

Hagar

What about sitting in stop start traffic for miles to the toll booth with some gimp in a jeep behind you with his dipped xenon headlights blazing into the car from about 2 metres giving you third degree burns on the ears and the back of the neck? Do you think he could safely manage on side lights while he is vitually parked in three lanes of stagnant traffic? Now that gets on my wick big time.:mad:

311

I'm really sorry to be so ignorant about fog lights ,but exaclty how beneficial are they???

I was going to get out of my car a few times and challenge the muppets for no headlights ,but there would be no point ,they wouldn't see me coming and probably drive over me.

TempestSabre

Whats the difference between spotlights and fog lights?

http://www.rsa.ie/NEWS/News/MISUSE_OF_FOG_LIGHTS_AND_FAULTY_VEHICLE_LIGHTS.html

Ah... I guess this is it...

http://www.cheshire.police.uk/modules.php?module=faqs&action=showmain&faqIndex=L

Lights - What are the rules regarding lights on my vehicle?
To drive a vehicle at night, all of the necessary lights must be attached, clean and in good working order.

Fog lamps:

Front fog lamps are not obligatory but if fitted must be white or yellow in colour, used in a pair and must not cause undue dazzle or discomfort, nor be used except in seriously reduced visibility. They must be clean and in good working order.
Rear fog lights are obligatory on a vehicle first used on or after 01.04.86. They must be red in colour and must not cause undue dazzle or discomfort, must not be lit whilst vehicle is parked nor to be used except in seriously reduced visibility.
Where two are fitted both must work. Where one is fitted it must be fitted to the centre or the offside of the vehicle. They must be clean and in good working order.
The driver must be able to see the lights are on by way of a visual indication (warning light) inside the vehicle.

Spot lights:

Spot lights or additional headlights can only be used in a pair and in conjunction with full beam headlights and should not be capable of being illuminated without the operation of the obligatory headlights.

Rabies

6ix wrote:

I must say, that I never thought of front fog lamps as a problem. I've been drving for the last 5 years, and clocked up plenty of mileage around the country, yet I've never found front fogs in any way dazzling. That includes meeting traffic, and cars behind me. Mis-aligned dips are much more frustrating for me.

Rear fogs, are a different story, I have to pull over/overtake rather than drive behind a glaring rear fog light.

I would be the same. Front fogs lights don't bother me at all. I hate people that put their rear fog light. Argh... My mother was always at this when she had a Primera.

saobh_ie

Forget sniping the fog lights, just take out the driver, the offending vechile will then hopefully plough into a wall rendering all the lights inoperable.

Also for the people driving around with only one head, tail or brake light. I would love to take a hammer to thier working light leaving them with none! The Gardaí would do something then.

(All of the above is posted with humourous intent as per the OP.)

TempestSabre

saobh_ie wrote:

....Also for the people driving around with only one head, tail or brake light. I would love to take a hammer to thier working light leaving them with none! ...

Unless you do a light check everytime you get into the car, its often diffcult to see if a bulb has gone. Rather than cup holders there should be a warning on the dash about the bulbs.

Alun

TempestSabre wrote:

Unless you do a light check every time you get into the car, its often difficult to see if a bulb has gone. Rather than cup holders there should be a warning on the dash about the bulbs.

Agree 100% there ... in this day and age of advanced car electronics, fitting a blown bulb indicator on all new cars should a) be easy, b) cheap and c) be compulsory.

Having said that, doing the occasional bulb check is a good idea. Often you can do it just by observing reflections in windows while sitting in your own driveway.

Gerry

Heres some high quality documentary evidence, taken on a canon EOS450D ( not released in europe yet)

TempestSabre

Alun wrote:

....Often you can do it just by observing reflections in windows while sitting in your own driveway.

Depends on the driveway. I generally do when in traffic against the other cars. But since I'm not a robot, I don't do it everytime.

TheBazman

First of all the legal issue - from what I am reading it is illegal to use fog lights(spot lights) in incorrect conditions. Based off this I would estimate anywhere from 20 - 40% of drivers break this law. I think we should forget about discussions on the legality of it - first of all it has been covered before, secondly you will always have people breaking the law - how many people regularly exceed speed limits, how many do not fully stop at a stop sign...etc I would estimate that this would be at least 40%. We should take it as a given that certain people will always break the law - nothing that is said here will ever change that

I also think a distinction needs to be made beween rear fog lights and front fog(spot) lights. Personally front fog lights on a car behind me have never bothered me especially at dusk or night. Are they any more distracting than just having regular dipped beams behind you? In reality they are not (imo). I think some people just get a bee in their bonnet about it. This morning I had someone come up behind me (while I was waiting to move into slow lane) with bi-xenons and they were really blinding, far more than any fog lights. Bi-xenons are not illegal. I'm dont think we have had too many threads about people having cars with bi-xenons behind them distracting them.

Of course rear fog lights (in incorrect conditions) are a different matter - I dont think anyone can approve of this. I would imagine that most people that have them on dont even know it. I think all you can do is if you overtake give them a give flash of your own rear fogs.

Finally, an aside - we really should try not to be so sensitive and defensive on Boards. Its getting so common now that threads getting overtaken with a couple of people on their high horses throwing insults at each other. If someone makes a point you dont agree with, by all means dispute the point. There is no need in getting into a slagging match about it

Phew!

saobh_ie

TempestSabre wrote:

Depends on the driveway. I generally do when in traffic against the other cars. But since I'm not a robot, I don't do it everytime.

I am a robot, I check the bikes lights in all modes while warming up the engine at the start of every journey, I have spares and all nessesary tools with me.

The car I check at least once a week. I have spares for most of the bulbs and have the tools nessesary to replace them with me.

Company vechiles, I do a walk around and check everything, on every (rare) occasion I have cause to use one. There's never spares or tools.

It takes the guts of five seconds to check the bike and ten to check the car, thirty if I'm checking brake as well as tail lights. All the bulbs in the bike can be replaced within sixty seconds of getting tools in hand (many don't even require tools). The tail light bulbs in the car can be done quicker with no tools, I don't honestly know about the head lights but I assume they're probaly just as handy.

TempestSabre

saobh_ie wrote:

....

The car I check at least once a week. I have spares for most of the bulbs and have the tools nessesary to replace them with me. ...

It takes the guts of five seconds to check the bike and ten to check the car, thirty if I'm checking brake as well as tail lights. ...

You'd wonder then why you can't be bothered to check the car every journey.

saobh_ie

Because I'm unlikley to die if the lights aren't working in the car. On the bike riding around without a tail light or any other bulb head or indicator lights could potentially result in my death or worse.

TempestSabre

saobh_ie wrote:

Because I'm unlikley to die if the lights aren't working in the car. On the bike riding around without a tail light or any other bulb head or indicator lights could potentially result in my death or worse.

Very selfish, what about other bikers when you are in the car?

saobh_ie

LOL. You got me, I should check all the lights every journey, not just the start of the day (bike) and start of the week (car).

TempestSabre

saobh_ie wrote:

LOL. You got me, I should check all the lights every journey, not just the start of the day (bike) and start of the week (car).

You should pull over every so often aswell, or better again just check with the reflection from other cars, shop windows. Hang on did I not suggest that at the start....:D

omega man

Front fogs should not be the issue here. It's rear fogs that are the problem. As fas as i know the law governs the use of rear fogs only. Front fogs have no effect on oncoming traffic or traffic in front and if anything it is safe. What about the idiots who only turn their lights on in total darkness? That is an issue of far greater importance than front fogs for gods sake. Usually its the people with no front fogs are the ones complaining. Ok, yes its an image thing but it is safe and doesn't distract other road users imo.

TempestSabre

One problem with someone driving either on fogs or sidelights is that in poor light makes the car look like its further away than it actually is. Also many muppets have bi-xenons or colour lights in their fog lights which are distracting and often too bright to see past. Which is why I assume they say that spots should come on with main beams never seperately, and fogs only in bad conditions.

Alun

omega man wrote:

As fas as i know the law governs the use of rear fogs only.

Then you'd be wrong.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI189Y1963.html

44 (2) In sub-article (1) of this article, "fog lamp" means a lamp fitted to a vehicle so as, when lit, to show a light to the front of the vehicle and intended for use only in fog or while snow is falling.

49 (8) Where a vehicle equipped with a fog lamp within the meaning of article 44 of these Regulations is used in a public place, such lamp shall be used only in fog or while snow is falling.

Anyway, aside from the legal issues, it's superfluous, totally unnecessary light, whether it's glaring, blinding or not.

lightening

In fog the luminosity of the light is diffused by the fog. When there is no fog it is difficult for oncoming drivers to see indicators if the fog light is on because of the relative brightness of the fog lights (in comparison to the indicators) this is why it is illegal to drive in no fog with your fog lights on. Athough some of you think they are not dazzling they are bright compared to your indicators. You may say this is not the case, but it is.