From: ddpbbb@nerd.ease.arco.com (Bob Benson)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: fog lamps
Date: 16 Apr 92 17:39:44 GMT
Reply-To: bbenson@arco.com
Organization: ARCO EP&T IT R&D


In article <1992Apr15.171848.6115@cis.ohio-state.edu>, prabal@pons.cis.ohio-state.edu (Prabal Acharyya) writes:
|> In article <sho6fINN409@sixgun.East.Sun.COM> mike@gilligan.Sun.COM (Mike Roncadori - Information Resources) writes:
|> 
|> >It doesn't bother me, because the only time I even uncover the
|> >driving lights is on long trips. I don't turn them on unless it's
|> >foggy outside, and high-beams do more harm than good in fog anyhow.
|> 
|> I have a question regarding use of the fog lamps or whatever driving
|> lights they are called.  I always see these people approaching with
|> four lights even there is no fog.  Sometimes they are OK but sometimes
|> they really hurt (depending on the design and position of lights I
|> guess).  So, is there a law, or anybody can switch on *all* the lights
|> they have.

School time, folks. There are fog lights AND there are driving lights.
And they are NOT the same. Fogs are low power beasties mounted low, aimed
at the road immediately around the front end and function in conjunction
with the regular low beams. The purpose is to help see the road in
low-visibility situations, such as fog (hence, the name). Driving lights
are high(er) power, aimed down the road and function in conjunction with
the high beams. The purpose is to help you see further ahead than the
highs alone. Cars with factory-installed extra lights generally have
fogs, not driving, at least in the US. Few cars have both, and then
usually only when an owner has installed one or both sets.

You may *install* all the lights you wish, or can afford. Their *use* is
covered by assorted laws. In general, each bulb can be no more than 55 watts
max output, although I'm told some places allow 60W. In general, you may
have no more than 2 sets of lights operating at any one time - say
lows & fogs or highs & driving. In general, driving lights must be wired to
be off when the high beams are off.  Understand that these are generally not
enforced unless you're in rather flagrant violation or the cop is in a
bad mood, at least around here. And understand that extra lighting draws
their attention. And understand that a "suspected lighting violation"
is a perfectly legal reason to pull you over.

All that said, it remains the duty of every driver to operate their
vehicle in a responsible and courteous manner - a duty in which we all fail
at one time or another. That includes maintaining proper alignment on
*all* the lights, dimming for on-coming traffic or slower traffic you're
overtaking, etc. And if I pop my brights to remind you, please respond
promptly. The flame throwers on the front of my 914 are somewhat over
55W each. And I do feel *so irresponsible* using them to give you a
gentle second reminder, peel your paint, ...  ;-)

-- 
Bob Benson                                  bbenson@arco.com
Ralliest & Generally Strange Person         214-754-6734
Driving along, doing the speed limit.
Not the one on some silly b'crat's sign. The road's limit.
Xref: sparky rec.autos.driving:2239 rec.autos:10968