DriveSmartBC

What is really starting to annoy myself and many others is people driving with their fog lights on during clear nights or even during the day. Is this not an infraction? These lamps are often unreasonably bright.

I agree with this reader, I also find many fog lamps unreasonably bright, even during the daytime. What's to be done about it? Unfortunately, probably very little.

First, let's be sure we are all on the same page. Fog lamps are identified by the SAE F marking on the lens, or a B above the circle with the E in it on European lamps. In B.C. you are allowed two fog lamps that emit either white or amber light. They must be mounted on the front of the vehicle, below the headlamps, but not more than 30 cm below. When you switch them on, the parking lamps, tail lamps, licence plate lamp and, if required, clearance lamps must also illuminate.

Fog lamps may be used in place of headlamps if atmospheric conditions make the use of headlamps disadvantageous. Otherwise, fog lamps may be used at any time of the day or night and in fact are used as the daytime running lamps on some vehicles.

I suspect that the unreasonable brightness comes from improper aim. Fog lamps must be adjusted and aimed so that, at a distance of 8 m from the lamp, the centre of the beam is at least 10 cm below the height of the fog lamp. Oddly enough, there is no tolerance specified as too low but anything higher than horizontal is too high.

The responsibility for regulation of where fog lamps are installed and how they are used is a provincial responsibility. All that the federal rules specify is that the lamps must meet SAE or European standards. If you measure most newer mini vans and light trucks, you will find factory installed fog lamps in a configuation that is illegal in B.C.

What about rear red fog lamps that are appearing on many vehicles straight from the factory today? They cannot be used legally at any time in B.C.

References:

Fog Lamps - Division 4.11 MVAR
Lamp Aiming Requirements - Table 1, Division 4 MVAR