When should I use my fog lights?

The use of high-intensity secondary lights – often known as fog lights – is coming under scrutiny from police forces across the country.

In every Australian State and Territory it is an offence to drive with your fog lights switched on unnecessarily and recent blitzes have fined unsuspecting drivers in the ACT, NSW, WA and Victoria.

Clearly both police and dazzled drivers have had enough.

So, just what are fog lights? And when should you use them? Here’s everything you need to know.

What are fog lights?
Fog lights differ from your car’s main headlight beam and rear tail-lights in that they’re normally set lower in the front or rear aprons or bumpers and angled in such a way, as to cut beneath, or be visible, in dense fog.

Many vehicles have fog lights both at the front and rear which are operated independently of the headlights for use in fog, inclement weather, or other times of extremely reduced visibility.

How do I know if my fog lights are switched on?
The headlight switch will depict a symbol showing the headlight beam intersected with an S-shaped squiggle. Your car’s regular headlight beam will appear as a symbol without the squiggle.

In many vehicles, the use of fog lights is also indicated by a corresponding illuminated symbol on the dashboard. Usually, green represents forward-facing fog lights and orange is used for rearward-facing fog lights.

If you’re still not sure, it’s a good idea to safely park your vehicle and take a walk around. Switch the lights through the dial’s various positions to see which lights illuminate, and which do not.

Failing that, consult your Owner’s Manual or contact your vehicle’s manufacturer.

When should I use fog lights?
As the name suggests, fog lights are designed to be used in fog. According to the letter of the law, the sun simply setting over the western horizon is not a valid reason to switch them on.

However, it’s also recommended – and allowed by law – for fog lights to be illuminated in other situations, day or night, where visibility is impacted by adverse climatic conditions.

These may include heavy rain storms, low cloud, smoke, dust, or snowfall.
If you’re at all unsure about using fog lights it’s best to leave them switched off, and instead rely on your low-beam headlights which may legally be used any time day or night.

For further clarification, see the chart below, or contact your State or Territory Government road authority website for more detailed information.

Why can’t I just drive with them on?
Just as you wouldn’t drive with your high-beam headlights on, you shouldn’t drive with your fog lights on unnecessarily.

For starters it’s a nuisance. Fog lights can dazzle and distract other drivers causing temporary blindness in approaching and/or following vehicles.

It can also lead to rear-end accidents where unknowing drivers may mistake the high-intensity red lights for your brake lights.

But besides that, it’s actually illegal. Every state and territory in Australia has a law forbidding the use of fog lights in situations other than that for which they are designed.
Below is an excerpt of the law from each Australian State and Territory.

ACT ($100 fine, one demerit point)
The driver of a vehicle fitted with front fog lights or rear fog lights must not operate the fog light unless the driver is driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions causing reduced visibility.

New South Wales ($108 fine, two demerit points)
Front and/or rear fog lights must only be used in fog or rain, or when conditions such as smoke and dust limit your vision. It is a legal requirement that once conditions improve and you can see more clearly, that the front and rear fog lights are switched off.

Northern Territory (TBA)
Fog lights may be used when it is hard to see due to fog, smoke, dust and heavy rain. A vehicle may be fitted with no more than two fog lights which must work independently of the headlights and driving lights. Light from the fog lights must not reflect into other driver’s eyes.

Queensland ($50 fine, one demerit point)
Fog lights may only be used in adverse weather conditions, such as fog or heavy rain that reduces visibility. The use of front or rear fog lights in clear conditions – day or night – is an offence.

South Australia ($238 fine, one demerit point)
Fog lights must be capable of being switched on and off independently of any headlights and must only be switched on when the parking lights are on. Fog lights can only be used in fog or conditions with reduced visibility.

Tasmania ($100 fine, zero demerit points)
The law defines a fog light as being a light other than a headlight fitted to the vehicle to improve illumination in fog, snowfall, heavy rain or dust clouds. If fitted, they must be aligned so as not to cause undue dazzle or discomfort to other road users.

Victoria ($141 fine, one demerit point)
Drivers must not use front or rear fog lights unless driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions that cause reduced visibility. They must be switched on separate from the main beam (high beam) and dipped beam (passing) headlights.

Western Australia ($100 fine, one demerit point)
Driving a motor vehicle with both headlights and fog lights operating is an offence. A person should not drive a motor vehicle displaying light from a front fog light if another light capable of showing white light to the front is alight.

As is the case generally, ignorance is no excuse under the law. It is your responsibility to know what types of lights are fitted to your vehicle, and how to operate them.
Remember, failure to do so can result in a fine and in demerit points on your licence.