Police ready to fine you for misusing fog lights

Sgt Cameron Roberts, of the highway patrol, said police received complaints every winter about drivers using fog lights in clear weather, blinding other motorists.

Victorian drivers who use fog lights under conditions that are not foggy or hazardous face fines of $116. The fine is $99 in NSW.

“It’s not something we’ve had any major enforcement on but that’s about to change,” Sgt Roberts said.

“I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had people mention to me or complain to me about people using their fog lights unnecessarily.

“It’s more and more prevalent. It’s unnecessary and should not be occurring.”

Sgt Roberts said fog lights blinded oncoming drivers, particularly at night, when there was no fog.

“Using them during the day and on clear nights only dazzles other drivers,” he said.

“It can be dangerous, I know from experience when driving. You get slightly dazzled by some of them. Anything that reduces the visibility of drivers is dangerous.”

Sgt Roberts said having the lights on provided no benefit when there was no fog.

“Having them on, just driving around town, has the net effect of nothing,” he said.

“There is no advantage unless you’re in fog or abnormal weather.

“And when I say abnormal, that doesn’t mean just because it’s dark or raining lightly.

“They are designed for fog or abnormal weather such as snow.”

Sgt Roberts also urged drivers to think more about the conditions when on the road.

“Every now and then people remind us in a spectacular fashion of how they can’t drive to the conditions,” he said.

“People treat wet roads as if they’re going to have the same level of traction as a dry road and they just don’t.

“We’ve had a few incidents this year of black ice, and it needs to be something that people bear in mind.”