Drivers face £50 fines if using fog lights at the wrong time – here’s why

DRIVERS have been warned that they could be slapped with £50 fines for using fog lights at the wrong time.

As Brits brace for the chilly season, thick fog is a feature of this time of year, meaning it’s all the more important to know how to deal with it safely and legally.

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Motorists have previously been pulled over for making any number of simple but little-known mistakes.

Experts at the RAC have revealed the key things to remember about driving in fog.

First things first, it is important to understand what fog lights are and when they should be used.

All cars must have at least one rear fog light by law, while front fogs are optional.

They are particularly bright lights, which can cut through the mist to alert other drivers to your presence.

Rear fog lights are usually found in the central cluster of lights on the back of the car, while front fogs are usually underneath the main headlights.

These special lights should only be used when weather conditions have reduced visibility to under 328ft (100m), roughly the length of a football pitch, according to the Highway Code.

They should never be used in clear weather and doing so is illegal.

Incorrectly used fog lights, just like high beams, can dazzle other drivers and be dangerous.

Speaking of high beams, the RAC experts warn that they can actually reduce visibility in fog, as the light reflects back at the driver.

Rule 236 of the Highway Code states: “You must not use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights.”

Reports from drivers who have fallen foul of the rules suggest that, while no points are handed out, fines of between £30 and £50 are used to punish drivers for not having fog lights on when they should or turning them on at the wrong time.

As well as correct fog light use, drivers are urged to remember to maintain a greater distance from the car in front and to demist their windscreen and locate the fog light on switch before setting off in fog.

They can usually be turned on from a button on the dash or an indicator stalk.

The symbol for fog lights is an oval-shaped lamp with three diagonal lines, crossed by a wavy vertical line to the left (for front fog lights) or right (for rear fog lights).

This symbol should light up on your dashboard to let you know the lights are on.