Fog Lamps: When to Use Them — and When Not To?
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Fog lamps exist for one reason: visibility in severe weather. Yet they’re often misused, creating dangerous glare for other road users.
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Dipping your headlights is standard etiquette, but knowing how to use front and rear fog lamps is just as vital for safe night and winter driving.
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Rear fog lamps:
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Essential in dense fog, heavy rain, or falling snow when your car is hard to see.
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Dangerous when misused — they can dazzle drivers behind and obscure your brake lights.
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Front fog lamps:
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Helpful only in very poor visibility at low speeds.
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In normal conditions they can blind oncoming traffic or irritate drivers through rear-view mirrors.
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Driver awareness is more important than ever.
When Should You Turn On Your Fog Lamps?
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Only switch them on when visibility is significantly reduced, such as in:
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Thick fog
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Intense rainfall
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Falling or drifting snow
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Avoid using fog lamps in clear or mildly misty conditions.
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Know your dashboard symbols and where the fog-lamp switches are located to avoid turning them on by accident.
Final Reminder
Fog lamps are safety features, not decorative lights.
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Use them only when other road users would struggle to see you.
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Correct usage protects you and prevents glare that puts others at risk.
