Some drivers use fog lights when there is no fog. Is that by law? And why do they use fog lights at all when there is no need for it? And is it allowed to install xenon of LED bulbs in fog lights?
Let's go in order. Fog lights have a clear purpose, as their name suggests, so they should not be used when there isn't fog. However, the law doesn't prohibit their use in regardless of weather conditions.
In short - you can use fog lights both day and night, and when when there is no fog, both in rain and snow, in winter and summer... Nowhere in the Law on Traffic Safety is their use restricted. However, this only applies to the front fog lights, while the rear fog lights mustn't be used when there isn't fog.
The rear lights mustn't be used when there is no for
Unlike front fog lights, the law says that the rear ones may only be used in fog. If you turned them on when there is no fog, you can be fined - the fine is 3,000 dinars (this means for Serbia).
Under what condition must fog lights be used?
Common sense says, when there is fog, on cars that have front fog lights, it should be turned on. Short, dipped headlights are implied, as they must be switched on constantly, both day and night, in all conditions. If you drive in fog without light on you can be fined:
6,000-20,000 dinars;
plus four penalty point
plus a ban of driving at least 30 days.
Otherwise, the law doesn't specify whether drivers who don't use fog lights in the fog, but have them can be punished. The above penalties applies only to driving "without road lights".
It is forbidden to use long lights for fog
Even in the dark outside of populated area, you mustn't use high beams if there is fog, as they only defrost, i.e. you see worse with them than with low beams. If the police catch you driving with long beams in the fog, you can get a fine of 5,000 dinars.
Why do some people drive with fog lights when there is no fog?
Many people think that the car looks more attractive to them, and the most extreme one go so far that they drive at night only with their positions on and fog lights., thinking that they respect the law when it comes to the obligation to drive with he headlights on during the day. Unfortunately for them, the police have every right to stop them and write them a fine, as the law clearly states that dipped beams or daytime running lights must be switched on if the vehicle has them.
Is it allowed to install xenon or LED bulbs in fog light?
No, just as it is not allowed to install them in headlights, with or without projector. But since no one is controls it, we remain silent and suffer blindness. Or to switch to long beams so that we can se the road little too..
Reminder - all four flashes when the fog is very strong
Let's remember, in condition of very poor visibility, such as very strong fog (or smoke), the law prescribes that all four flashes should be turned on.
We should be careful when the fog is on the road and drive with all lights on (regular and fog lights), which are prescribed, even all four flashes. Two years ago, on the highway between Jagodina and Kragujevac, two towns in Shumadia district in central Serbia, a terrible traffic accident occurred, where thick fog caused a large chain collision. The accident took several lives, and seriously injured other passengers, which create stress for the person after such situation and certain fear of driving at all.
It is necessary to do artificial signalization on the lanes that marked the road. I imagine this through the use of some LED lighting that will last longer or turn only when there is fog, maybe some reflecting plates to be installed and allow drivers to follow the road at a adjusted speed and to be able to stop safely when an obstacle is encoutered.
Images: Wikimedia Commons
Literature: https://polovniautomobili.com/auto-vesti/saveti
