Why do idiots drive around with their fog lights on when it isn’t foggy?

Question

This is actually illegal.

Some even use them *instead* of dipped headlamps after lighting-up time, so they’re not only breaking the law, they are dazzling other drivers and driving with inadequate directional lighting in front of them!

Why?

Are they mentally ill?

Answer 1

It could be anything, some people do it just because they want to annoy people, or want to get notticed however other people migth have them on without knowing it, I know several people who don't know how to be a good driver (people who talk on cell phones while driving or don't use their rearview or side mirrors and don't watch the controls to see their speed) and I've seen them with the fogg ligth on and I had to tell them to put the normal ligth instead just because they wouldn't look at their controls (in fact I know a woman who drove her car for a whole week without notincing that she had the low oil ligth on untill I told her) . Sometimes you can turn the fogg ligths on by pusshing the lever when trying to make a turn.

Answer 2

They are classed a auxiliary lights, and as such should only be used when needed. Front fog lights don't bother me, it's the drivers who go everywhere on main / high beam because they mistakenly believe that the lights next to the headlights ( usually single filament bulbs - H7) are fog lights instead of long range lights. Fog lights must (European market) be located below the headlights - usually in the bumpers - and be aligned so the beams are to the sides & not ahead.

Answer 3

I seem to remember asking this same question a couple of weeks ago -- the old ones are the best!!! Sorry, mine was rear fogs, but had similar responses -- They are brain dead IQ zeroes, so that is their excuse. As you say, it is illegal to drive with auxilliary lights unless in foggy conditions - visibility less than 100 metres in the united kingdom.

Answer 4

So you've never accidentally left on something, like your bathroom lights, your indicator after you've decided not to overtake etc.... You can't just assume that all those who do it are idiots, sometimes you just forget things and you don't notice it until somebody else points it out to you. I am terrified when somebody flashes me on the road because I think I've made some mistake or left something on (or off) that I shouldn't have. Why am I terrified? Because there are a lot of people out there who would think of me in a negative way if I, god forbid, left the foglights or whatever there is on.

Answer 5

I have done that, it was not deliberate, I am not an idiot( not often anyway) I did not see the warning light which was blocked by the steering wheel. If you can not cope with being dazzled sometimes when you are driving perhaps you should not be doing so

Answer 6

Half the population is of below average intelligence. This is a mathematical fact and explains a lot. Why not invest in a couple of 100 Watt driving lamps and give them a burst of that?

Answer 7

Usually these are often young drivers trying to show off and it seems they think that it makes their cars look better with their fog lights on. It seems that they are also unaware that it is against the law.

Answer 8

I think you answered your own question............ they are idiots. Probably young lads driving a sporty car with front fogs who think it looks cool.

I have lost count of the amount of people I have flashed who are dazzling me with their fogs and they then wonder what I am flashing them for.

And it surprises me how many people don't know its illegal.

Answer 9

Illegal? I don't think that is the case, at least not in NH, USA. I have driven by many police officers at all times of the day with my fog lights on.

I use my foglights at night because they help to light up the road right in front of me, and it gives me more light in general to be able to see the road.

If I have them on when it is cloudy out, it is because it is just habit and I automatically turn them on with my headlights.

A car with fog lights, unless they are aftermarket ones, doesn't bother me any more than one without. I think all the headlights are bright when you see them in oncoming traffic. The aftermarket ones can irritate me though, because they tend to be a lot brighter than the factory/dealer ones.

Answer 10

they feel they can see the road better-they are alot of dumb things people do-but in their eyes they do not see anything wrong with it. I have driven with my foglights on when it was not foggy as i did not realize they were on-turned them off when I did. i rather deal with foglights on then alot of the other things drivers do or do not do-no directional signals when turning, leaving high beams on, talking on cell phone while driving, tailgating, etc.