driving lights = 3points

low au classic · 01-07-2009, 08:52 AM

hey guys i was just reading the local paper down here in the country regions of vic and noticed a story about driving/fog lights
"the bass coast traffic management unit will be targeting motorists who commit lightinh offences oer the next couple of months."
"road rule 217 states a driver must not operate any front or rear fog light unless the driver is driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility"

i think this is the most stupidest thing i read there called driving lights for a reason yeah during the day you shouldnt have them on like you see around on other cars but at night some times you just need that extra bit of light and they are great.
i use them every time i drive my girlfriends r33 skyline at night manly because the headlights arnt that great but the help seing rite in front of you.

i like the there main reason for the law to come in
"the change in the legislation were made due to the large number of complaints made by members of the public about being "Dazzled" by fog lamps being used in clear conditions"

thats so stupid

if you get caught with them on you face a fine from $119.00 - $153.00 and 3 demerit points

:

next time you drive at nite do me a favour count the cars with there driving lights its almost every third car

so what do you think about this?
thanks
pat

Jack91 · 01-07-2009, 08:56 AM

To be honest, I think its about time, sure in heavy rain or fog its ok but at night driving up the highway, how is it different to someone leaving their highbeams on? Why dont I leave MY highbeams on with the 2 spotlights at full blast, Im sure you wont be too impressed. Fog lights should be used for fog. Whatever happened to high beam etiquette?

GT450 · 01-07-2009, 09:01 AM

i quite agree it's about time the wallys that do this realise they can be a hazard. Driving lights for driving fog lights for fog it's not that hard to remember.
Cheers
GT450

merlin · 01-07-2009, 09:05 AM

Good - I only put them on in fog or rain or if out in the sticks on a dark road. They should not be used any other time - fairly simple road rule.

csv8 · 01-07-2009, 09:06 AM

same here in Queensland but I drive down some dark streets and the street lights are crap .Fogs make the road easier to see, without having to put highs on.

imugli · 01-07-2009, 09:15 AM

Third agree.

As for your comment about every third car using them - that's exactly the reason these fines should be enforced harder than they are. The amount of times I've been blinded from behind by some idiot using their fog or driving lights on a clear night borders on ridiculous.

You might be able to see but I bet the guy in front of you, whose rearview mirror your lights are shining into, can't.

I agree with Davo - no different to having your high beams on.

And isn't their some weird ADR that says driving lights should only be able to be active when you have your high beams on?

low au classic · 01-07-2009, 09:18 AM

i find on the newer models they tend to be very bright due to the upgraded bulbs but some you dont notice out here in the country you really need every bit of light

imugli · 01-07-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low au classic

i find on the newer models they tend to be very bright due to the upgraded bulbs but some you dont notice out here in the country you really need every bit of light

Agreed. Open highway, where longer distance visibility is necessary, fine. Not on metro roads where the next car is barely 20 metres in front on most occasions and the roads are lit anyway...

XR6Runner · 01-07-2009, 09:28 AM

I work a lot of very early mornings so I get to drive through a lot of fog, but I've got to say, not once has having my fog lamps on helped me see through the fog. All it's ever done for me is light up more fog that I can't see through.

sgt_doofey · 01-07-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low au classic

i find on the newer models they tend to be very bright due to the upgraded bulbs but some you dont notice out here in the country you really need every bit of light

Rubbish. Have you actually seen how much light fog lights give out? Bugger all. They give out light a few metres in front of the car and spread out to the sides. The only real benefit you would see is the edge of the road right in front of your car being lit up.
Doing all my driving in the country as well, I prefer the use of high beams when possible. I don't use the fogs on the 307 at all, except in fog, and only then when another car isn't approaching.
Fog lights are one of my pet hates on the road. They are usually used inappropriately and dazzle oncoming drivers. I'd be glad to see this enforced more.

By the way, this law has been around for years, just never really enforced.

Smoke Pursuit · 01-07-2009, 09:45 AM

VX Holdens are the only ones that dazzles.. BA / BF / FGs arent any brighter then the standard bulbs in the headlights, plus they have guards over them / lower position.

barbarian · 01-07-2009, 09:45 AM

oh geez cry me a river you've been "blinded" by fog logs that sit well below the front bar with a 55w light bulb..

Smoke Pursuit · 01-07-2009, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imugli

Third agree.

As for your comment about every third car using them - that's exactly the reason these fines should be enforced harder than they are. The amount of times I've been blinded from behind by some idiot using their fog or driving lights on a clear night borders on ridiculous.

You might be able to see but I bet the guy in front of you, whose rearview mirror your lights are shining into, can't.

I agree with Davo - no different to having your high beams on.

And isn't their some weird ADR that says driving lights should only be able to be active when you have your high beams on?

Driving lights aren't foglights.. Theres a big difference..

Zed7fiddy · 01-07-2009, 09:47 AM

I couldnt care about what the law says, whats the first thing they say in 99% of accidents?

"I didnt see him" With fog / Driving lights on it helps them to see you!

This is the reason im Putting orange or LED's on my bike, i got t-boned the other week on it, giving me 2 weeks off work and the bike getting repaired for 8 weeks, this is a siafety issue and i need to be seen more.

Zed7fiddy · 01-07-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

Rubbish. Have you actually seen how much light fog lights give out? Bugger all. They give out light a few metres in front of the car and spread out to the sides. The only real benefit you would see is the edge of the road right in front of your car being lit up.
Doing all my driving in the country as well, I prefer the use of high beams when possible. I don't use the fogs on the 307 at all, except in fog, and only then when another car isn't approaching.
Fog lights are one of my pet hates on the road. They are usually used inappropriately and dazzle oncoming drivers. I'd be glad to see this enforced more.

By the way, this law has been around for years, just never really enforced.

So which is it?

Sourbastard · 01-07-2009, 09:49 AM

I get dazzled by four wheel drives and trucks with low beam because their bumpers are eye level with me. This to me sounds like a good justification to legislate that all 4WD's and trucks drive around with their headlights off at all times.

I DONT get dazzled by the ****y little driving lights unless I lay down on the ground and stare into them from 1 meter away. I think some of you need a teaspoon of concrete powder.

Its ok though, lets all have a group hug and a teary until mister police man makes it all better and your cataracts heal over.

b2tf · 01-07-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I DONT get dazzled by the ****y little driving lights unless I lay down on the ground and stare into them from 1 meter away. I think some of you need a teaspoon of concrete powder.

Agreed.

barbarian · 01-07-2009, 09:54 AM

The truth is projector xenon head lights are more "blinding/dazzling" than what the poor fog lights can achieve, and these are pretty much legal on new luxo upper spec cars.

OLDFORDNUT · 01-07-2009, 09:57 AM

Ecuse my ignorance,aren't fog lights those yellow ones,driving lights(high beam) are completly different

low au classic · 01-07-2009, 09:59 AM

i like the fact the cop cars can still use theres when we cant
there going evveryone driving lights and fog lights
i thought they were called driving lights for a reason you use them when you drive simple as that

High_Octane · 01-07-2009, 10:03 AM

2 words. Revenue raising.

GT69 · 01-07-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I get dazzled by four wheel drives and trucks with low beam because their bumpers are eye level with me. This to me sounds like a good justification to legislate that all 4WD's and trucks drive around with their headlights off at all times.

I DONT get dazzled by the ****y little driving lights unless I lay down on the ground and stare into them from 1 meter away. I think some of you need a teaspoon of concrete powder.

Its ok though, lets all have a group hug and a teary until mister police man makes it all better and your cataracts heal over.

LOL. I find any vehicle sitting on my inside, just behind my rear end dazzles me, and i normally slow down just to let them pass.

Question though, I must admit im going to come out with a statement here that sounds very Ford bias, but do late model commodores have a switch to turn on the driving lights seperately? As in my driving i find 90% of people with driving lights on are commodores, late model (VY - VE) ?

2.8L Hilux · 01-07-2009, 10:06 AM

I wonder if i'd get booked for my cornering lamps being on in the fairmont.
I have them wired so they are on with the low beams.

The thing is, they only use a 16W bulb. If I tried to drive with just the cornering lamps then I'd be driving blind. They throw out absolutely no light, they just look good.

Do you's think I'd still get booked?

High_Octane · 01-07-2009, 10:09 AM

If they really want to enforce this they will probably pick on any lights that arent the headlights. More $$$$ in the coffers.

imugli · 01-07-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDFORDNUT

Ecuse my ignorance,aren't fog lights those yellow ones,driving lights(high beam) are completly different

VicRoads decription of both mentions nothing of colour but does clarify re Driving Lights and high beam...

Quote:

Using fog lights
Front fog lights are designed to better illuminate the road in fog, snowfall, rainstorms or dust clouds. They can be recognised by the narrow pattern of light emitted.

Road Rule 217 states that drivers must not use front or rear fog lights unless driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions that cause reduced visibility.

Fog lights cannot be accidentally switched on. They must be switched on separate from the main and dipped beam head lights.

Using driving lights
Driving lights are designed to illuminate the road over a long distance. They are the same as the high beam (main beam) head light and emit the same lighting pattern.

Road Rule 218 states that drivers must not use the high-beam headlights when driving:

less than 200 metres behind a vehicle travelling in the same direction
less than 200 metres from an oncoming vehicle.

Driving lights cannot be accidentally switched on. They can only be switched on and off with the high beam head lights.

Either way, it's pretty clear. Unless in Fog or Hazardous conditions, fog lights shouldn't be used and driving lights should only activate when your high beams are active.

Dezza · 01-07-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2.8L Hilux

I wonder if i'd get booked for my cornering lamps being on in the fairmont.
I have them wired so they are on with the low beams.

The thing is, they only use a 16W bulb. If I tried to drive with just the cornering lamps then I'd be driving blind. They throw out absolutely no light, they just look good.

Do you's think I'd still get booked?

I know someone on here who wired his up exactly the same as you, and he got booked for them.

XRSIKS · 01-07-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I DONT get dazzled by the ****y little driving lights unless I lay down on the ground and stare into them from 1 meter away. I think some of you need a teaspoon of concrete powder.

2nd agree to this....

I dont have a problem with them, but i dont spend my time staring into the lights of oncoming traffic ...... i'm more focused on the road ahead.

XR_Strider_GuY · 01-07-2009, 10:21 AM

Ok Guys,

So what sort of lights are in the front bar of my XR BA/BF?? (Which has a switchable on/off and are connected when the parkers/headlights are on).

Are these driving lights or fog lights? Will I get the demerit points if I have them on. Reason for asking is that I actually have seen XRs with these on and they don't dazzle me they seem fairly harmless. However I am more and more not using them as they seem to be percieved as "ricer lights" or "showoff lights" and the public seem to frown upon these.

From what I know the real fog lights (aftermarket models like PIAA) are very intense and actually take a while to get to their brightest intensity. These actually work in fog and agree they will annoy on comming drivers. The low level lights in the bar of the XR Falcon are just extra lights that so far as I can see give a more spread of light.

Value everyones thoughts...

low au classic · 01-07-2009, 10:25 AM

i think there just going for any light thats in your front bar thats on that isnt your head lights

redtoad236 · 01-07-2009, 10:26 AM

Funny how the law changes. I have been a motor bike rider for god knows and the new law came in about the lights being hard wired on all the time. Yes i understand why and loud pipes can do the same we all know this. But fog lights and a fine???. Whats the issue i see so many people driving with there high beam on and dont care whats the difference. I guess they got to pay there wages some how if not taxing us enough does not pay the bills.

091 SP