This absolutely drives me bonkers. In 2002 I bought a New Beetle and thought it was cool but a bit odd that it came with fog lamps. I did use them once, when I got caught in a pretty heavy snow storm after dark with my mom, as we were driving to her home in Clarkdale from the nearby town of Mayer, both located in the mountain country of central Arizona. Then, I was really glad I had them. My fog lamps really improved my ability to see the road with snow obliterating visibility.
Since that time I’ve notice more and more vehicles come with fog lamps. I have to believe the auto dealerships are ordering them that way because the cars are a few hundred dollars more expensive with them installed. I mean, this is Phoenix we’re talking about. I’ve lived here my whole life, nearly forty years, and I can count the number of times I’ve seen fog in Phoenix on one hand. In fact, I can count the number of times I’ve seen fog here on one finger. That’s right. In forty years, there has been fog in Phoenix ONCE. For about two hours.
Yet just about every idiot on the road whose car is equipped with fog lamps turns them on every day. Apparently because they can. Either that or they’re all suffering from some kind of fantasy delusional fog inside their cotton-brained heads. It bothers me on a lot of levels, but mostly because they hurt my eyes. It’s not as bad as having your brights on, but it’s close.
Who’s more mental, them? Or me? Either way, it’s really satisfying to finally get that off my chest.
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Guilty as charged. I have fog lights on my truck and I run them all the time. I also have the brightest lights one can buy for my regular headlights. My eyes are bad and I have trouble seeing at night when I’m driving. Trouble seeing because everyone else seems to have their fog lights on and the brightest lights they can find as well.
David – thanks. At least I know some people use them for a reason. Also, though, you live in a place that has occasional weather where you really would need your fog lights.
I too am guilty of this. My Prius came with fog lights and I run them a good majority of the time. My excuse is simply that I like the way they make the car look at night. :-\ Or maybe I’m just wishing I was in San Fran with real fog and a real reason to use the fog lights. hehe.
I don’t think I’ve ever noticed whether cars have these things on or not. Now I’ll be looking. We don’t get much fog here – maybe once or twice a year if that.