Should Fog Lights Be Turned On in Rainy Weather?
3 Answers
Fog lights should be turned on when visibility drops below 200 meters during rainy weather. Automotive fog lights are installed at the front and rear of the vehicle, serving to illuminate the road and provide safety warnings in foggy or rainy conditions. They enhance visibility for both the driver and other road users. The primary function of fog lights is to make the vehicle more visible to others when visibility is significantly reduced due to weather conditions such as fog or heavy rain. Therefore, fog light sources need to have strong penetration capabilities. Most vehicles use halogen fog lights, while LED fog lights are considered a more advanced option. The correct usage of fog lights is as follows: When visibility is between 200m and 500m: Low beam headlights, width indicator lights, and tail lights must be turned on. The speed should not exceed 80 km/h, and a following distance of at least 150m should be maintained from the vehicle ahead in the same lane. When visibility is between 100m and 200m: Fog lights, low beam headlights, width indicator lights, and tail lights must be turned on. The speed should not exceed 60 km/h, and a following distance of at least 100m should be maintained from the vehicle ahead. When visibility is between 50m and 100m: Fog lights, low beam headlights, width indicator lights, and tail lights must be turned on. The speed should not exceed 40 km/h, and a following distance of at least 50m should be maintained from the vehicle ahead. Other lighting usage guidelines: High beam headlights: Use high beams when the road is poorly visible or there are no streetlights. Push the lighting control lever on the right side of the steering wheel backward to activate them. Low beam headlights: Use low beams when driving on well-lit urban roads or when encountering oncoming traffic or being overtaken by other vehicles. The lighting control knob on the dashboard can be turned to the low beam position. Turn signals: Used to alert surrounding vehicles and pedestrians when changing lanes, turning at intersections, making U-turns, overtaking, entering or exiting roundabouts, pulling over, or starting off. They should be activated in advance. Width indicator lights: Indicate the width of the vehicle in low-light conditions. They should be turned on during dusk, nighttime driving, or in low-visibility weather such as rain or fog. Hazard warning lights: Indicate emergency situations. They should be activated when temporarily parked, in case of vehicle malfunction or accident, or in low-visibility weather. Precautions for using lights in rainy weather: Keep lights on: During rainy days, especially at night, always keep your lights on. This ensures your own visibility and makes your vehicle more noticeable to others. Keeping lights on increases your vehicle's recognition among other drivers. Use low beam headlights: In rainy conditions, the rearview mirrors of the vehicle ahead may be wet and blurry. Besides turning on daytime running lights, it's advisable to use low beam headlights to enhance visibility in the mirrors of the vehicle ahead. Fog lights can also be turned on if necessary. Avoid high beam headlights: Except for driving on unlit highways at night with no vehicles ahead for a long distance, high beams should not be used at any other time. Especially during rainy nights, high beams can temporarily blind oncoming drivers, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Use hazard warning lights: If the rain is heavy or there is standing water ahead, reduce speed and turn on hazard warning lights to alert following vehicles. However, when changing lanes with hazard lights on, first turn them off, activate the turn signal, and then change lanes to properly notify following vehicles and avoid changing lanes directly with hazard lights on.
From my over ten years of driving experience, whether to turn on the fog lights in rainy weather depends on the situation. If it's just light rain or drizzle and you can see the vehicles ahead, definitely don't turn on the fog lights, as those dazzling lights can irritate drivers behind you, making it even more dangerous. However, in heavy rain or fog when the road is hazy and visibility is poor, I usually turn on the rear fog lights to increase the brightness of my car's rear, making it easier for others to spot me and avoid rear-end collisions. Remember, only turn on the rear fog lights—don’t randomly use the front fog lights to avoid obstructing visibility. Safety comes first. I once drove on the highway in heavy rain, and the fog lights were a big help. Since then, I’ve made it a habit to regularly check the bulb conditions.
As someone who frequently studies driving regulations, I must say this issue depends on the region and specific rules. For example, in EU countries, rear fog lights must be turned on when visibility drops below 50 meters. During heavy rain when visibility is severely reduced, using fog lights can improve safety, especially as the intense red light from rear fog lights alerts following vehicles to slow down and maintain distance. However, avoid using them in clear weather or light rain, as this may result in fines or cause traffic accidents. I recommend assessing the weather before each drive: if distant objects appear blurry to the naked eye, turn on the fog lights. Additionally, develop the habit of slowing down and using hazard lights as a supplementary measure in rainy conditions.
