Re: Fog light operation

[John Larson <jdlarson@ix.netcom.com>]

Robert, while I may not live in the boondocks, I have to drive through them to
get anywhere. I concur that the lights may help by aiding peripheral vision, but
I try not to overdrive my lights and I am old enough and experienced enough to
know my night driving limits. My eyes, not to mention my reaction times, are
nowhere near what they were 30 years ago, and it often unnerves me to do things
I once did without thinking, like driving fast in heavy LA or SF traffic. Just
getting there now seems just as important as getting there as fast as possible
once was. I do occasionally like to get out there and practice my corner
entry/exit skills, however, on some of the local twisties. I'm not that old!
This is not meant as a reflection on anyone's driving skills or habits, just an
admission that I'm not the driver I once was, and a warning that it's coming to
you all, sooner or later. Cars sure are better though.
John

Robert Myers wrote:

> 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
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