Do You Need to Turn on Low Beam When Using Fog Lights?
3 Answers
It is not always necessary. When visibility is below 200 meters, both fog lights and low beams should be turned on simultaneously. In heavy fog conditions, all lights must be activated along with hazard lights. The differences between fog lights and low beams mainly lie in their illumination angles, brightness, and light penetration capabilities. Here are some relevant details: 1. Fog lights have strong penetration power. In heavy fog, they can cut through dense fog to provide clear visibility of the road ahead. However, fog lights should only be used in heavy fog conditions. Their wattage is much higher than low beams, and their illumination angle, brightness, and penetration are significantly superior. While highly effective in foggy weather, their excessive penetration can cause glare. Using fog lights in normal weather conditions can severely disturb drivers of vehicles in front or behind, potentially leading to accidents. 2. Low beams illuminate a certain distance in front of the vehicle with relatively low wattage, and their illumination angle is below the horizontal line. Using low beams while driving has minimal impact or interference on other vehicles.
I've been driving for many years, and every time I encounter heavy fog, I always turn on both the low beams and fog lights. This isn't a suggestion—it's a must. Fog lights are only auxiliary lighting designed to penetrate the fog and increase your visibility to other drivers, but they can't illuminate the road on their own. Without low beams, the road ahead may appear blurry, making it easy to miss obstacles or cause accidents. Many traffic regulations explicitly require activating low beams when using fog lights to avoid dazzling other vehicles—fog lights are too bright, and misuse can result in fines. In foggy conditions, I also slow down, turn on the hazard lights, and maintain a safe distance from the car in front. This makes the entire driving process much safer. Remember, headlights aren't just decorations—using them correctly can save lives, especially on days with low visibility.
As an enthusiast who frequently drives long distances, I'm accustomed to turning on the low beams before activating the fog lights in foggy conditions. This is because fog lights are designed to enhance scattered light towards the front and sides, making the vehicle more visible in fog, while low beams provide essential road illumination. Driving with only fog lights and no low beams is like walking in the dark with just a small flashlight—your visibility becomes severely limited. I once forgot to turn on the low beams and found that while the front of the car was illuminated, the road conditions were hard to see, which was quite dangerous. In daily driving, this setup helps reduce the risk of collisions and adheres to safety protocols. I also recommend regularly cleaning the windshield of dirt during foggy weather to ensure maximum visibility, which is especially crucial for beginners.
