DriveSmartBC

Remember the column I wrote last week on fog lamps? The one where I finished by saying that rear fog lamps were still illegal for use in BC? Well, one reader asked me the question "Why not?"

Why not indeed! I volunteered to find out and contacted the provincial government to ask.

"They're not illegal" was the response, which included a quotation from the regulations concerning front fog lights and an excerpt from the vehicle inspection manual telling facilities how to approve rear fog light installations.

I countered with two separate examples from the regulations that ruled lights not specifically identified in Division 4 are illegal for use on B.C.'s highways. Rear fog lights are not specified, consequently they must not be used.

The reply was that there were errors in the regulations and there was no promise of correction on the horizon. Add to that the epidemic of people using whatever lighting on their vehicle that they choose to and we have a rapidly growing problem.

Without a clear intent in the regulations, how is the public supposed to comply, how are the police going to enforce and how should the traffic court convict? From my point of view, how do I properly advise you when I write this column? Hopefully this can be resolved quickly!

References:

Motor Vehicle Act Regulations - B.C. Regulation 26/58