LTA clears the air on proper use of fog lights
Friday October 14, 2005
IF drivers found the issue fuzzy before, the Land Transport
Authority (LTA) is making it very clear now: It's not up to
motorists to decide when to turn on their fog lights.
In fact, since the beginning of this year, enforcement officers
from the Registry of Vehicles have given verbal warnings to 120
motorists caught misusing their fog lights, which are the round or
square lamps beneath the headlights. Last year, 200 drivers were
warned.
It is an offence for motorists to use their fog lights during clear
weather conditions, said LTA, and those caught flouting the rule
may be fined or jailed.
The penalty for a first-time offender is a fine of $1,000 or a jail
term of three months. Repeat offenders face double the
penalty.
Fog lights should be used only during adverse weather conditions
that result in seriously-reduced visibility - during a heavy
downpour or in thick haze for instance. They are not to be turned
on during clear weather or night-time driving, said LTA.
But motorists 938Live spoke to did not seem to be clear on this.
Some bought cars that come with built-in fog lights while others
installed the lamps on their own.
Said one driver: "Using the fog lamp is an offence? Luckily, I have
never used it! But if it's an offence, why install it in the first
place?
I personally find fog lights from vehicles behind me very
irritating."
LTA says it will soon launch a public education campaign on the
proper use of fog lights.
