Are drivers mental or what ?

As younger drivers are responsible for the highest percentage of RTA's. Surely if any retesting has to be applied, it should be among that age group. 

Older more experienced drivers are much safer on the road. 

As I have no desire to continue driving if I am not safe on the road, I would have no problem with a test, at say 70, and then every 5 years. It would probably have the benifit of reduced insurance premiums. However, considering the logistics I can never see it comming to pass.

Richaed, Thats a new one on me.  I have never come across a car fitted with auomatic fog lights.  Automatic lighting yes, but not fog lights!

TF

I was referring to the folks with automatic HEADLAMPS, which don't always light up in foggy conditions.

Drivers either unaware that their lights haven't come on, or are aware, but can't remember how to manually switch on their lights. Or simply don't care.

My own car has automatic head and side lighting, and I must admit to having to look at the manual when it came back from its last service, auto lights and wipers set back to default settings. And as for the auto climate control, still haven't got that set back to where I like it.

Front and rear fog lights operated by separate switches, confusin dash board display, I had to get out of car to see which switch operated which light. Similar story with heated front and rear windows, not immediately obvious which switch operates which.

Gawd help us when cars come with touch screens rather than switches ....

you usually find that the light on the switches are green for front fog lights and amber for rear foglights

Admiral, -Sir!

I detect that you have recently changed your Avatar and I would wish to record my thanks, - The old one scared me and one of my Grandchildren half to death!

TF

Bardon56 - the fog lamp indicators on a subaru are both orange - one facing one way and the other in opposite direction. You HAVE to know which is which!  In foggy conditions not difficult but in clear/wet conditions could be hazhardous for oncoming or closely following traffic. 

It's surprising the number that insist on using their front fog lights at all times as well

I use my front fog lights at night in addition to headlights quite a lot these days. They give a much wider light pattern than the head lights alone. In town streets they show better what is between parked cars and on rural roads they illuminate emerging wildlife. The headlights (even on dip) seem to be designed for distance and ignore the likelyhood of closer dangers.

I too ignore the DRLs and use sidelights in daylight as there are then lights at the rear as well.

So, if you use your forward foglamps on a clear night you are throwing 4 x 35 amps (or  more) at on coming drivers instead of say a total of 70a. That's what I find to be dazzling and somewhat antisocial behaviour on the part of oncoming drivers. Please cut it out.

Dazzle could be caused by:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/consumer-news/94753/dangers-of-illegal-hid-headlight-conversion-kits-explained

So, if you use your forward foglamps on a clear night you are throwing 4 x 35 amps (or  more) at on coming drivers instead of say a total of 70a. That's what I find to be dazzling and somewhat antisocial behaviour on the part of oncoming drivers. Please cut it out.

Can you redo your sums and express your view correctly.

Forgive me for I have been out of the Police for 16 years now so my knowledge of this part of the law might be outdated. But I think that there might be some confusion about what used to be called Fog Lights and Spot lights and the lights that are commonly fitted to most cars today which are known as "Driving Lights".

Proper Fog and Spot Lights are large diameter and very powerful lamps normally mounted today on bars on the front of vehicles.  I believe that the law has not changed, and that they should only be used in "Fog and falling Snow" conditions.

But what are fitted today often as part of a cars original equipment ,are classified as driving lamps, and are intended to highlight the kerb and the area's relatively close to the front of the vehicle. They are often connected to the steering, and will come on to assist in highlighting whichever direction the car is turning in. They are not high powered like proper Fog & Spot lamps, and should be fitted and adjusted so as not to creat any dazzle.

As I said, my knowledge may well be out of date now, but I believe that what I have said still applies.

TF