Fog lamp definition?

dcGT · 13-06-2006 03:00PM #1

Hi All,
Just want to see what you all think about this: -

I have a set of these: -

http://www.b-link.co.uk/awshow.htm?g=52597

They are street legal. They have 2 lighting options.
a) Standard 55W Halogen fog light.
b) Small led lights that light around the main bulb (this is not a fog light bulb). They can be used in conjunction with parking lights.

I've gone through many Garda checkpoints with no hassle, however, the other night I stopped (while having the small led lights on, NOT the fog lights). I was told to turn my fog lights off. I tried to politely explain to the Garda that my fog lights were not on, they were just an additional light. He then proceeded to explain to me the definition of a fog light (i.e. any light that was a certain distance from the ground) and told me to switch them off.
I'm just wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences and what you guys think about this.

Cheers,

DC

Anan1 · 13-06-2006 03:33PM

To the best of my knowledge the Guard is right. There is a certain minimum distance which headlights have to be above the road. A foglight can be lower but can only legally be used in fog.

By the way, there is a good reason for this. When we see cars at night, the height of the lights above the road is one of the factors our brain uses in order to calculate distance. The closer the lights to the road, the farther away the car appears.

Stephen · 13-06-2006 03:36PM

First time I've ever heard of the gardaí getting people to switch off fog lights - long may it continue.

_Kaiser_ · 13-06-2006 03:38PM

Anan1 wrote:

To the best of my knowledge the Guard is right. There is a certain minimum distance which headlights have to be above the road. A foglight can be lower but can only legally be used in fog.

By the way, there is a good reason for this. When we see cars at night, the height of the lights above the road is one of the factors our brain uses in order to calculate distance. The closer the lights to the road, the farther away the car appears.

Me I'm more worried about very faded/completely missing road markings at night. Someone here also suggested recently that every junction on a country/N-road should be lit. Not a bad idea.

Fog lamp definition?

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