Fog Lights

[Mr Revhead]

if ppl are that concerned about being seen...
why dont you use your headlights?!
they can be seen easier..... and point down.... not along... therefore not pissing off other road users....

[magnazan]

I have both on. I don't drive around with just fogs and sidelights on, that's just dumbass.

[B1NZ]

IMO this law was bought in to stop the practice of 4WD owners blinding traffic as they usually have more powerful spot/fog lights which are a lot higher,

I very rarely see any cars with blinding fog lights, I've seen more poorly adjusted headlights than anything which seem to slip through the system.

The police have figured out if they blitz all motorists they can make more money that way.

[Mr Revhead]

my understanding (and recollections of the following "blitz") were it wa sbough in to target "boyracers" driving at all hours soley using fog and driving lights.

[Zitchu]

In all honesty what is the big problem with driving round with your lights on? They aint THAT annoyin i mean there are bigger things to worry about then a couple of little glows

[postfach]

yeah i'm more annoyed with people who don't dip their high beams at night, fog lights really aren't that bad

[Mr Revhead]

thats already been said in this thread....

[B1NZ]

Also like the way the were ticketing the blue LED's forward facing for a while, I know technically they aren't allowed but it's not life threatening

[Dragger_Dan]

I think for the convenience of sports car and lowered car owners that 4WD vehicles should be banned all together. Ever been tailgated by a 4WD in an MR2? Regardless of whether they dip their lights or not it's still $&#$% annoying. Always a concern when you can see the headlights of the person behind through your sunroof.

[rolla_fxgt]

I think they just need to make a rule for vehicles above an X height, cause lets face it most of the technical rules surounding vehicles were thought up & made long before 4wd's were common features on the road.

I find 4wd's lights really high & coming right into my eyes when i'm driving, or hitting my rear vision mirror if they're following me.

Also 4wd's and tinted out vans parked in parks near intersections really annoy me, its like taking your life in your hands sometimes, especially if theres one on both sides
The last two parks near intersections need to be car only

[NZ_AE86]

The dip rate of a light changes as the height of the light changes so 4WD vehicles lights should be set at a different dip rate which, providing they are not following too close, should make them no different to having another car behind you.

Also on the Fog light light thing, it's the law, get over it!

I don't think that people doing over 100kph on the open rd with no other traffic is too fast but that is the law so we just deal with it.

[Lloyd]

Foglights shouldn't blind you as they have a cutoff pattern and are pointing lower than dipped headlights. Headlights on the majority of cars are set at a 1-1.5% dip rate, fog lights have to be at 3%

And yes it would be nice if 4WD ones pointed lower, but until the lights are more than 1.2m off the ground then you're allowed 1% dip legally. Over 1.2m the minimum dip is 2% on low beam.

The stupid lights that blind you that aren't headlights, are NOT fog lights. They are driving lights which are a high intensity beam with no cut off pattern which effectively makes them a high beam headlight and thats what they are treated as by your friendly AVIC.

If they are a low intensity daytime running light then they should turn off when you turn on either fog lights, headlights, or both.

[skoty]

4WD vehicles should be banned all together.

Don't get me started on 4WD SUVs, they are nothing but trouble on the roads

[snwtoy]

Also like the way the were ticketing the blue LED's forward facing for a while, I know technically they aren't allowed but it's not life threatening

That's different though, only emergenc vehicles are allowed blue forward facing lights.
Back in the day (like 10 years ago) when I was the token boyracer on a budget, I had blue covers on my aftermarket driving lights low in the bumper, got pulled over and got absolutely roasted by a mad as mad cop telling me I was trying to imitate the police, and that people might swerve off the road and crash when they saw me coming.

[method]

Its not the front fog lights i hate, its the rear red fog light.

Its so $&#$% annoying having a bright red light shon in your face as eye level at night!
It $&#$% up your periphrial vision too.
The main culprit seems to be mr and mrs richwhite in their new audi who dont know what forlights are.

I honestly wish i had a baseball bat, id just smash the light and we would all be happy.

[postfach]

Its not the front fog lights i hate, its the rear red fog light.

Its so $&#$% annoying having a bright red light shon in your face as eye level at night!
It $&#$% up your periphrial vision too.
The main culprit seems to be mr and mrs richwhite in their new audi who dont know what forlights are.

I honestly wish i had a baseball bat, id just smash the light and we would all be happy.

Saw one of those on a little Peugeot 206 a few nights ago, it was so intense it actually made it really difficult to see anything but that, they're even worse because if you're stuck behind one, you could be behind it for 10mins plus, where with a car coming towards you, it's only going to be annoying for a few seconds. (although i suppose a few seconds of distraction is all it takes to make a big mistake)

[NZ_AE86]

Foglights shouldn't blind you as they have a cutoff pattern and are pointing lower than dipped headlights. Headlights on the majority of cars are set at a 1-1.5% dip rate, fog lights have to be at 3%

And yes it would be nice if 4WD ones pointed lower, but until the lights are more than 1.2m off the ground then you're allowed 1% dip legally. Over 1.2m the minimum dip is 2% on low beam.

The stupid lights that blind you that aren't headlights, are NOT fog lights. They are driving lights which are a high intensity beam with no cut off pattern which effectively makes them a high beam headlight and thats what they are treated as by your friendly AVIC.

If they are a low intensity daytime running light then they should turn off when you turn on either fog lights, headlights, or both.

When I set 4wd lights up I always set them a the highest dip rate although to the word of the law you're right. If they are within that range 1-2% then I have to pass them for a WOF.

[BlakJak]

Interesting reading this thread.

Vehicle lighting is a pet peeve of mine, i'm sure theres threads about it on here ...

Oh... look... a FAQ article:

viewtopic.php?t=45506

With a link to:

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicles/get-your-lights-right.html

It describes the following:

Cosmetic lighting

If you want to use cosmetic lighting to make your vehicle stand out, take the time to get it right – and avoid hassles later on!
Fitting requirements

Cosmetic lamps can be any colour as long as they meet the following requirements.

* They must be angled downwards and fitted so that the light source isn’t directly visible from the front or back of the vehicle (this will prevent the lights distracting, confusing or dazzling other road users). See diagram below.
* You must not be able to see any red light from directly in front of the vehicle.
* They should only give off light that is spread out (diffuse) rather than light concentrated in a beam.
* They must not be positioned close to essential lights such as headlights or indicators.
* They must not flash, pulse, fade in and out or change colour.
* They must not revolve, rotate or move in any direction.

fitting requirements

You must not be able to see the light source (lamp) from anywhere in the shaded zone.

On the road

It is against the law to use cosmetic lamps in a way that could dazzle, confuse or distract other road users.


Dipped beam headlamps

Dipped beam headlamps are used for lighting the way ahead of the vehicle at night. The beam pattern is controlled so that the driver can see the road ahead without causing glare to other road users. (Dipped beam and main beam headlamps are often combined into one lamp.)


Fitting requirements

* All vehicles are fitted with one or two dipped beam headlamps as original equipment.
* You may not fit any additional dipped beam headlamps to a vehicle.
* Dipped beam headlamps must be white or amber in colour.

On the road

Dipped beam headlamps should be used during the hours of darkness and whenever visibility is poor. Because they are dipped, they can be safely used in all conditions without dazzling other road users.



Main beam headlamps

Main beam headlamps are used for lighting the way a long way ahead of the vehicle. Because they are not dipped, they will dazzle other road users if not used properly. (Dipped beam and main beam headlamps are often combined into one lamp.) Additional main beam headlamps are also known as ‘driving lamps’.

Fitting requirements (original equipment)

* Most motorcycles, cars and trucks are fitted with one or two main beam headlamps as original equipment.
* Main beam headlamps must be white or amber in colour.

Fitting requirements (additional equipment)

* You may fit additional main beam headlamps (driving lamps) as long as you don’t have more than the maximum allowed for that type of vehicle. All vehicles except motorcycles may have up to four main beam headlamps (motorcycles may have up to two). For example, if your car has two main beam headlamps you may add two more, but if it already has four main beam headlamps you may not fit any more.
* Main beam headlamps must be wired so that they automatically switch off when the headlamps are dipped.

On the road

Only use main beam headlamps when you’re driving on the open road and there are no other vehicles directly in front of you or coming towards you. You must switch to dipped beam as soon as you notice other vehicles ahead to avoid dazzling them.



Front fog lamps

Front fog lamps illuminate the road ahead in foggy conditions, both at night and during the day. They give off a short, wide beam of light that is designed to shine through the fog, lighting up the area directly in front of the vehicle and helping the driver see the sides of the road better.

Fitting requirements

* You may have up to two front fog lamps fitted to your vehicle. If your vehicle already has two front fog lamps fitted as original equipment, you cannot fit a second pair. Fog lamps should be wired so that they can be turned on or off independently of the headlamps.
* Front fog lamps must be white or amber in colour. When purchasing front fog lamps, it is your responsibility to ensure they meet approved standards and are designed for that specific purpose. If in doubt, consult a vehicle lighting retailer.

On the road

Fog lamps should only be used when visibility is severely reduced, eg by snow or fog. It is against the law to use fog lamps in clear conditions (day or night) as they can dazzle other road users.



Rear fog lamps

Some vehicles are fitted with rear fog lamps, which are very bright rear-facing red lights designed to make the back of the vehicle more visible in fog.

Fitting requirements (rear)

* You may have up to two rear fog lamps fitted to your vehicle. If your vehicle already has two rear fog lamps fitted as original equipment, you cannot fit a second pair. Rear fog lamps should be wired so that they can be turned on or off independently of the tail lamps.
* Rear fog lamps must be red in colour. When purchasing rear fog lamps, it is your responsibility to ensure they meet approved standards and are designed for that specific purpose. If in doubt, consult a vehicle lighting retailer.

On the road

Fog lamps should only be used when visibility is severely reduced, eg by snow or fog. It is against the law to use fog lamps in clear conditions (day or night) as they can dazzle other road users.



Daytime running lamps

Daytime running lamps are optional lamps fitted to the front of a vehicle to make it easier to see in daylight. They have a low light output and are not bright enough to illuminate the road ahead of the vehicle.


Fitting requirements

* You can fit up to two daytime running lamps to your vehicle. If your vehicle already has two daytime running lamps as original equipment, you can’t fit a second pair. On some vehicles, daytime running lamps operate as a function of the main beam headlamp.
* Daytime running lamps should be wired so that they automatically switch off when either the dipped or main beam headlamps are turned on.
* Daytime running lamps must be white or amber in colour. When purchasing daytime running lamps, it is your responsibility to ensure they meet approved standards and are designed for that specific purpose. If in doubt, consult a vehicle lighting retailer.

On the road

Daytime running lamps are normally designed so that they turn on automatically with the engine ignition, and turn off when the dipped or main beam headlamps are switched on.

Stop lamps

Stop lamps are red lamps on the rear of the vehicle that light up automatically when the vehicle brakes. Stop lamps are normally positioned in pairs towards the sides of the vehicle. Most vehicles also have ‘high-mounted’ stop lamps (HMSLs) which are normally fitted in the centre of the base or top of the rear window.


Fitting requirements

* Light vehicles may have up to two pairs of stop lamps, and up to two HMSLs. Heavy vehicles may have up to three pairs of stop lamps and two pairs of HMSLs. Motorcycles can have up to two stop lamps.
* A stop lamp must normally not be mounted more than 1.5 metres above the ground. The only exceptions are:
o if the vehicle’s body shape makes it difficult to mount the lamp at or below this height, in which case the stop lamp may be fitted up to 2.1 metres from the ground
o if extra stop lamps are fitted to a heavy vehicle, in which case only one pair may exceed the height restriction and these must be mounted as close to the top of the bodywork as possible.
* Stop lamps must be red in colour. When purchasing stop lamps, it is your responsibility to ensure they meet approved standards and are designed for that specific purpose. If in doubt, consult a vehicle lighting retailer.

Direction indicators/hazard warning lamps

All vehicles must have direction indicators which signal your intention to turn. Most vehicles have hazard warning lamps which flash direction indicators in both directions at the same time.

Fitting requirements

* Light vehicles may have up to two pairs of front direction indicator lamps, and up to two pairs of rear direction indicator lamps. Heavy vehicles can have up to three pairs of front direction indicator lamps and three pairs of rear direction indicator lamps. Motorcycles can have one pair of front direction indicators and one pair of rear direction indicators only.
* A vehicle may have one or two side-facing direction indicator lamps on each side.
* A direction indicator must not be mounted more than 1.5 metres above the ground unless:
o the vehicle’s body shape makes it difficult to mount the indicator at or below this height, in which case it may be fitted up to 2.1 metres above the ground, or
o extra direction indicators are fitted to the back of a heavy vehicle, in which case only one pair may exceed the height restriction and these must be mounted as close to the top of the bodywork as possible.
* When purchasing direction indicator lamps, it is your responsibility to ensure they meet approved standards and are designed for that specific purpose. If in doubt, consult a vehicle lighting retailer. You must make sure you use the correct type of direction indicator lamp (eg only use front direction indicator lamps for this purpose).

On the road

Hazard lights should only be used to indicate a temporary hazard to traffic, eg your vehicle has broken down and you’re awaiting assistance. Only goods vehicles are allowed to use their hazard lights when double-parked, and only for trade purposes.


Position lamps

Position lamps are low wattage lamps on the front and rear of vehicles that show the outline of the vehicle. They are also known as ‘park lights’, ‘side lights’ and in the case or rear position lamps, ‘tail lights’.

Fitting requirements

* Light vehicles may have one pair of front position lamps and up to two pairs of rear position lamps. Heavy vehicles may have up to two pairs of front position lamps and three pairs of rear position lamps. Motorcycles may have one or two front position lamps and one or two rear position lamps.
* The law says a position lamp must not be mounted more than 1.5 metres above the ground unless:
o the shape of the vehicle body makes it difficult to mount the lamp at or below this height, in which case it may be fitted up to 2.1 metres above the ground, or
o extra position lamps are fitted to the rear of a heavy vehicle, in which case only one pair may exceed the height restriction and must be mounted as close to the top of the bodywork as possible.
* Front position lamps must be white or amber in colour.
* Rear position lamps (tail lights) must be red in colour.
* When purchasing position lamps, it is your responsibility to ensure they meet approved standards and are designed for that specific purpose. If in doubt, consult a vehicle lighting retailer.

I'm sorry, blindly using the attitude 'it helps me see' or 'it helps me be seen' is a very selfish attitude - the reason the above rules exist is for the benefit of those around you on the road, not just yourself.

I too am regularly frustrated by goons with high-set spotlights; spotlights running during daylight hours; fog lights running in normal running conditions; rear foglights blinding approaching vehicles; people who think their park lights are sufficient in low light conditions (what're you doing - saving power?) - the list goes on. I'd encourage all Toyspeed'rs to 'get it right' and set an example to others.