G77

I just saw a fog advisory on the news and I'm still confused as to why North American vehicles don't have rear fog lights? Is it because plonkers in the UK can't use them properly, so they decided not to bother?

I mentioned rear fog lights at my Ford dealer once and they looked at me like this

fledermaus

Probably because no one would use them. They rarely put their lights on here in rain/fog/snow. Most seem to think that they have the daythingy running lights on and that will do.

wizzard

The same continent that thought it was a good idea to use flashing red brake lights as turn signal/indicators.

Steve_P

Seems to have got your attention.

kirstya

or drives around with full high beam on in big trucks which shine directly into your mirrors so seems like your being followed by UFOs everywhere as cant see a bloody thing behind you

el_richo

I hate that. Still not used to it and it delays my reaction when they're braking AND indicating at the same time. Stupid!!!!

iaink

Those big Oldmobila Auroras have them as standard equipment.


Dunno Why.

Maybe north american drivers already know enough to SLOW DOWN in fog so they are less likely to drive into the back of the car in front without the aid of a high intensity rear light. Or perhaps rear lights here are brighter to start with, who knows...

Jingsamichty

As if the rear end of most cars wasn't bright enough!

I'm glad they don't have rear foglights here... too many eejeits would leave them on all the time.

Selsame

Something I recently discovered with our VW. They do not fit North American cars with blind spot mirrors as standard. Apparently they are illegal in the US. Having driven in the UK for years I was somewhat mystified as to the amount of times I would go to change lanes and find there was a car in my blindspot. I put it down to the driving on the other side of the road lark. However now I have found the proper mirrors http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-...Mirrors/Glass/ and things are totally different. Now I can see cars coming up behind and by the time they are alongside you can see them with your peripheral vision. You still have to shoulder check, but awareness of other vehicles is massively improved. They also sell euro tail lights with orange indicators and fog lights!

Steve_P

Too true.

I drive one of the offending vehicles.

I was very surprised to see how bright the LED brake lights are on the same model of vehicle on day when I pulled up behind one at a stop light at night.

Unfortunately nothing I can do about it but they are damned bright.

dbd33

Rather a moment in fog this morning. The road is twisty but surfaced and I know it well. I was going at my customary 80mph, not phoning or texting for once but singing along to the Pretenders, when two bright white lights appeared shining at me.

I thought them too high for a pick up and so assumed a tractor trailer coming at me. I was just about to move right to be sure to be in my lane when I realised they were mounted on the ROPS bar of a tractor and were rear facing. Had I gone to the right of them I'd have been in the ditch. "****ing bumpkins" I thought, reverting to type.

dontrush2

Just on the subject of lights and stuff.....
Does anyone else think that the headlights here don't seem to be as good as in Europe? ( I know, I know.. I can hear the sniggering starting at the back of the room already! ) But honestly, although they look as bright on the outside, it seems like they don't show up stuff as well when you are driving. Probably just me. Though one thing that I miss like hell here are cats eyes and road markings that have a reflective quality in the paint. When it gets wet or mucky, you can't see a thing with regards to centre lines at night.

Jingsamichty

You just answered your own question. It's not that the lights here aren't as bright... it's that in Canada, everything is darker to begin with.

dontrush2

LMAO!! Thanks for that!

PMM

Hi

Cats eyes don't last very long with a snow plow coming along.