Re: Fog light operation

[Robert Myers <rmyers@inetone.net>]

True, John, the DOT dictates a variety of things.  It's also true that in
many states speed limits of 55 or perhaps 65 mph are inflicted on the
populace.  DOT or state law or whatever doesn't necessarily guarantee that
the decision is right, merely legal.  I suspect that DOT regulators may
have been rejects from Team Doorhandle.  :-)

I agree that high beams and/or driving lights negate the fog/snow advantage
of fog lights.  

Now, let's go for a night time drive (no fog, no snow) in darkest central
WV and just see how much added advantage you get from your fog lights even
with high beams *and* driving lights.  They greatly improve peripheral
vision, especially when the roads are wet.  Properly aimed, fog lights are
no threat or even discomfort to oncoming drivers.  (That same statement
about driving lights cannot be made - at least not with a straight face.)
Fog lights can and do (at least in my case) help in the detection and
identification of an on-rushing Bambi or other critter.  BTDT *many* times.

I will concede that use of fog lights under most city driving conditions is
a buncha, uh, stuff.  But get out in the boondocks and take a drive.  You
will be amazed how much help they can be under so-called "normal" conditions

At 10:29 AM 10/16/98 -0700, you wrote:
>Good morning! In many states fog lights may ONLY operate with the low
>beams, never with the high beams. It is my guess that it may be a DOT
>mandate As a practical matter, the benefits of properly installed and
>adjusted fog lights would be cancelled out by the operation of the high
>beams, which would be reflected back into your eyes by the very fog you
>were trying to penetrate. I, too, am irritated by the "Look at me, I've
>got fog lights so I must , by definition be cool" syndrome, seen often
>in the Marina Del Rey area of Los Angeles, where none of the poseurs
>drive in the fog. At least you always know there's a BMW behind you.
>John
>
>
>
___
   Bob
***********************************************************************
*  Robert L. Myers  rmyers@inetone.net    Home 304-574-2372/1166      *
*  Rt. 4, Box 57,  Fayetteville, WV 25840 USA      WV tag Q SHIP      *
*  '95 S6  Cashmere Grey - der Wunderwagen                            *
*  '89 200tq, chipped, Pearl/grey, suspension mods, 127K miles -      *
*          for sale, US$6K                                            *
***********************************************************************