I refer to the dummies who use front fog lamps in perfect visibility.
This charge cropped up in a magistrates' court recently:
"Misuse of a vehicle front fog lamp. On 19/04/2011 at XXXXX in the County of Durham used on a road, namely XXXXX XXXX, a vehicle, namely BMW 525 index number XXXXX, on which a front fog lamp was used so as to be lit when visibility was not seriously reduced. Contrary to regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988."
Last edited by: Iffy on Mon 19 Mar 12 at 19:10
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Yes, it's been an offence for some years; applies to rear ones too which are a bigger bugbear with me. As I've mentioned before they're a real pest in wet conditions as they reflect off the road surface into the eyes of lorry drivers; Peugeot 207's seem to be the worst and I've come very close to getting out of the cab and kicking the damn light out when I've pulled up behind one in a queue.
Presumably the officer who nicked this needed one more ticket for his bonus tube of Smarties; I don't think it's something the magistrates have to deal with too regularly. :/
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Normally a fixed penalty offence (non endorsable) - possibly the driver was stopped and failed an attitude test and was reported for summons which is a highly inefficient and expensive way to deal with a minor offence so the back story is more than just smarties.
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...so the back story is more than just smarties...
I didn't get to the case, but this could be right.
The other charge was for a dodgy tyre, and the BMW had a rubbishy personalised plate.
I formed the impression of an old Beemer which had been tinkered with on the cheap, in the way that some are.
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This misuse of front fog lamps is a pet hate of mine. At one time it seemed to be the province of the "reverse-baseball-cap" fraternity, but now it seems all and sundry do it.
I think there is genuine ignorance among some - but certainly not all - drivers. At the risk of sounding sexist, I wonder if the air-headed blonde I saw the other day simply "switched all the lights on" and thought no more about it. And there's plenty of mimsing oldies going round with their rear fogs on, blissfully unaware of it and probably of a lot of other things as well.
Last edited by: FocalPoint on Mon 19 Mar 12 at 19:39
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If I'm turning left the left one comes on and vice versa if turning right. I thought they were faulty but apparently they're supposed to do that.
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>> This misuse of front fog lamps is a pet hate of mine.
+1
And whose stupid idea was it to fit DRLs where the front fog lights would usually be on some cars?
Although they're DRLS, they look exactly like front fog lights, and in some cases the LED DRLs are actually brighter and cause more glare than normal front fogs do.
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If I'm turning left the left one comes on and vice versa if turning right. I thought they were faulty but apparently they're supposed to do that.
My 2007 Roomie had that feature !
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It's dem Germans. Bombed our chip shops too y'know.
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Some MB have what looks like two fog lights each side at the front. One is a turning lamp.
Current Passat has DRL where you'd expect fog lights. In fact I think the fog lights are there two but maybe different bulbs?
I saw an Audi A5 with the LED DRLs on and it had dimmed the kerb side one because the indicator was on. The DRL are too bright to see the indicator is on unless it dims. I'm not sure that is good design.
My DRL's are normal bulbs. The static turn lights are a different set of bulbs in the main headlight unit. I have separate front fog lamps.
Last edited by: rtj70 on Mon 19 Mar 12 at 20:00
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>>My DRL's are normal bulbs. The static turn lights are a different set of bulbs in the main headlight unit. I have separate front fog lamps.
I count seven lights each side, what are you, a travelling fair?
;>)
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I overtook an an E-class this morning - looking in my mirrors, it was rather er...obvious ! Nice car though.
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>> I overtook an an E-class this morning - looking in my mirrors, it was rather
>> er...obvious ! Nice car though.
Blackpool Trams those E classes.
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...Blackpool Trams those E classes...
Illumination - and size.
Bit faster though.
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Saw one of the execs sat in the car park the other day in his "E" class with his lights on.....well most of 'em, but only one headlamp(!)
I dropped him an email pointing this out and asking if he knew. The answer came back; "No I didn't know and that means I have two faults. One, the light and two, the system that's supposed to tell me that a light's not working.".
There's no substitute for getting out and having a look......
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>> There's no substitute for getting out and having a look......
>>
Indeed. Drivers these days rely too much on sensors and not enough on sense.
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>> There's no substitute for getting out and having a look......
Or using the reflection from a shops glass window.
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>> >> There's no substitute for getting out and having a look......
I remember my first car with a trip computer / diagnostic function, it was a Vauxhall Vectra and was so appallingly unreliable that I didn't believe it when it warned of bulb failure thinking it was merely another malfunction.
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>> I overtook an an E-class this morning
You musta been going some then Rob...
Valves still working?
Edit, or was it parked...?
:-)
Last edited by: Humph D'Bout on Mon 19 Mar 12 at 21:07
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I'm using my wife's little Kawasaki 650 to commute - for a small twin, it can actually "progress" quite well - I have confessed to her earlier...
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Tell you what did pass me on the lowest reaches of the M1 the other day heading into Londinium. One of those scooters with two wheels at the front. That was being "progressed" vehemently by a determined looking fellow in an open faced helmet and and sort of bespoke blanket over his knees. I became quite concerned for his safety at one point. I began to wonder what manner of crisis could so unhinge a man.
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Ah yes - he Piaggo MP3 - very popular in France along with the Gauchos (The blanket) - I bought a set specific to the GS - but my pride refused to let me wear it, I sold it for a tidy profit....
I wouldn't want to wear an open face helmet on a road of any description....my friend and his wife who crashed in France last year would attest to that sentiment as well.
Last edited by: R.P. on Mon 19 Mar 12 at 21:28
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www.flickr.com/photos/67389469@N02/sets/72157629622411907/
www.flickr.com/photos/67389469@N02/6997983261/in/photostream
Why I wouldn't wear an open face !
In fact Humph, very highly rated as a commuter bike, can out turn a lot of conventional bikes....if I lived in a town I might have one.
Last edited by: R.P. on Mon 19 Mar 12 at 21:44
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>> www.flickr.com/photos/67389469@N02/sets/72157629622411907/
>>
>> www.flickr.com/photos/67389469@N02/6997983261/in/photostream
>>
>> Why I wouldn't wear an open face !
When I came off in the 80's I ended up with deep scratches on the chin piece, and visor of my full face helmet, and 2 cracks in the chin piece.
Had I been wearing an open face helmet, if I was lucky I would now be eating through a straw.....
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The injuries to the rider in that bump were not that bad - he's still suffers the after effects but was well enough to ride a couple of weeks after coming home. I take no chances with kit - I buy the best I can afford.
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Y'see, my brother in law tells me that bikes are the thing and that they are way cheaper than cars and blah de blah de blah...
He has the latest Ducati Something Fastio. Red thing anyway. Sounds like it needs a new exhaust to me. Then he's got these Diarrhoea or something leathers and some equally unpronouncable helmet and gloves and boots and waterproofs and...a car for when it's cold or raining or he needs to move something other than himself.
Helmets have made him bald too.
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Most of my kit is German - Helmet, Suit - backed up by a pair of Alt Bergs (the best and made in the UK!)
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Bombed our chip shops the Germans.
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>> Bombed our chip shops the Germans.
>>
'Don't mention the war!!'
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But they can't half make proper kit.
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In a previous life a little 650 was to be reckoned with I'll 'ave ya know young un!!
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Best get back to hating light bulbs I suppose. Enjoyed the little diversion...
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>> I count seven lights each side, what are you, a travelling fair?
How did you get to seven each side?
- Indicators
- Static turn light
- DRL
- Fog light
- Side light
- Main light (bi-xenon HID)
I make six. And when the Xenon's are on the DRL are not. And the static turn light only comes on if you're indicating or you've turned the wheel far enough when driving.
:-)
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>> How did you get to seven each side?
>>
>> - Indicators
>> - Static turn light
>> - DRL
>> - Fog light
>> - Side light
>> - Main light (bi-xenon HID)
"Bi" xenon counts double. Unless it's a reference to the sexual orientation of the lamps.
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>> "Bi" xenon counts double.
But it's one light. With a shield to provide main and full lights. That's one light. Offering dipped and main.
Now if you count the positions it can shine light due to it being directional up/down and left/right then it might be more.
And I was responding to: I count seven lights each side, what are you, a travelling fair?
It is six not seven. The xenons are one light!
Last edited by: rtj70 on Mon 19 Mar 12 at 23:37
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>>How did you get to seven each side?
- Indicators
- Static turn light
- DRL
- Fog light
- Side light
- Main light (bi-xenon HID)
I've got separate lights for main and dip, doesn't everyone?
;>)
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>> >>How did you get to seven each side?
>> - Indicators
>> - Static turn light
>> - DRL
>> - Fog light
>> - Side light
>> - Main light (bi-xenon HID)
>>
>> I've got separate lights for main and dip, doesn't everyone?
>>
>> ;>)
>>
What about number plate lights and half of the high-level brake light?
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>> >> This misuse of front fog lamps is a pet hate of mine.
>>
>> +1
>>
>> And whose stupid idea was it to fit DRLs where the front fog lights would
>> usually be on some cars?
>>
>> Although they're DRLS, they look exactly like front fog lights, and in some cases the
>> LED DRLs are actually brighter and cause more glare than normal front fogs do.
>>
Vx. Something we agree on. Mindless stuff. They should be banned forthwith (or kicked out) as someone above suggested.
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I certainly can't tell the difference between DRL and fog lights on the new Mercs. Low down, on the outer edges of the front bumper and too kin bright!
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>> This misuse of front fog lamps is a pet hate of mine. At one time
>> it seemed to be the province of the "reverse-baseball-cap" fraternity, but now it seems all
>> and sundry do it.
It shows that the driver is cool. When I see a car approaching with foglights on I switch mine on to let the other driver know that I'm a cool dude as well. I switch them off after we've passed one another.
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>> When I see a car approaching with foglights
>> on I switch mine on to let the other driver know that I'm a cool
>> dude as well. I switch them off after we've passed one another.
>>
Main beam, just so they don't miss it?
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>> >> When I see a car approaching with foglights
>> >> on I switch mine on to let the other driver know that I'm a
>> cool
>> >> dude as well. I switch them off after we've passed one another.
>> >>
>>
>> Main beam, just so they don't miss it?
>>
No, foglights.
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>> I formed the impression of an old Beemer which had been tinkered with on the
>> cheap, in the way that some are.
i can see the case in my minds eye
The stop
"Sir you have an illegal numberplate, here is form xxxy you have 14 days to get it fixed"
"Do you know who I am, BLAH, I pay your wages BLAH, should be out catching rapist and peados BLAH"
Coppers mate gets out, car gets fine tooth comb
"Sir you have an illegal tyre, and you have your front foglights on, Both endorceable offences, anything you say ......"
"I know the chief constable you will regret this BLAH"
After abusive letter arrives on the inspectors desk
"Yeah lets process this all the way"
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Muppets with rear fogs on at night, in the rain, really really annoy me.Especially when its not foggy.And when it is, and I am keeping my distance behind you, please be considerate and turn them off.
Its not going to happen is it?
Muppets. Have I said that?
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Irrelevant to you but in HK using the front foglights appears de rigueur, AFAIK it's illegal here too but not enforced. Furthermore it is commonplace to fit the super-bright 'white' bulbs in them.
Interestingly DRLs appear for the most part to be disabled (on Golfs, Audis, BMWs etc where it is configurable).
Last edited by: idle_chatterer on Tue 20 Mar 12 at 03:58
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DRLs are disabled on my car - auto lights make their own minds up.
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>> Muppets. Have I said that?
>>
That's an insult to Kermit, Miss Piggy and Animal (my favourite), and the rest of the gang!
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I was once told (or might have read it somewhere) that having your fog lights on when it's not required was an indication to everyone around you that you're attracted to members of the same gender as yourself. Same applies to those blue lights you see in Lorries apparently.
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 20 Mar 12 at 10:38
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At last - a good idea re running lights and fog lights! My neighbours have a new Volvo and the lights are one and the same unit but have a rheostat to make them dim(ish) in day light and can be made brighter in fog or poor visibility
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Allegedly having pampas grass in your garden indicates interest in "swinging"
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So they are breaking the law - Harleyman
