full beam headlights are just for when there is no traffic coming the other way, right?

[BellaBearisWideAwake]

So many drivers seem to be using their full beam headlights at the moment, and I keep getting blinded by oncoming traffic!

I wonder if they think they are foglights?

I wish there was some recognised signal for 'DIP YOUR HEADLIGHTS!!!!!!'

Grr.

flash your lights briefly at them

they are fog lights but only to be used in thick fog surely

i have full beam AND I have fog lights - or is that not normal?

yes, do flash lights at them

It's normal to have full beam at the front and red foglights at the back.

Full beam headlights are NOT foglights - you'll blind yourself driving in fog with full beams on, the light just reflects back off the fog. I can only guess they're used as foglights by people whose cars have another set of lights for use in light drizzle (ie the things the rest of us use in FOG).

A quick flash of your headlights usually makes people realise what they've done. They are definitely not fog lights if they are dazzling you - the fog loghts are usually further out at the side of the car and don't dazzle other drivers nearly as much as full beams do.

I didn't think they were the same thing.

Grr again. There seem to be A LOT of people near me at the moment who don't know they shouldn't be using them. I had to stop the other day on a country road because I couldn't see at all with car coming the other way. The driver did not take the flashing light hint

Can I add to this? Rear fog lights are to be used when the visibility is really really awful, so cars approaching from behind can see you from a safe distance. Once that car is behind you, please turn the damn things off, they hurt and are distracting.

Front fog lights and high beam are two separate things on my car - the illumination spread is completely different.

You shouldn't have full beams if someone is in front of you either as they reflect in their mirrors and dazzle them.

Are you sure they aren'tthose xenon super-bright thingies?

Lots of the newer 4x4s have them on, so the light is right at eye level. If you flash them, they flash back, burning your retinas clean from your skull.

oh really? Isn't that a bit dangerous? I think at least one offender was a 4x4 type, but no idea if the rest were.

the number of cars I saw driving this morning without any lights (v foggy) was unbelievable, side lights only were bad enough, but none?
Do people not look at the other cars on the road and think - they aren't v visible without lights, oh I must be the same?

Yes, lots of those xenon things around - hideous, show offy things that are bloody dangerous for on-coming traffic.

How do manufacturers get away with fitting them?

Some cars appear to have lights that flash brighter as they go over a bump too so I think they are flashing me. Drives me mad.

Mind you when I started driving I had no idea about lights and had mine on full beam all the time! DH was shocked when he realised but as I pointed out I had no way of knowing as I had never , ever been told.

I was having this exact conversation with my driving instructor a few hours ago, as we were nearly blinded a few times a minute on some roads. We were debating if it's the new halogen headlights or idiots with full beam.

I wonder that, knitting.

It must be a safety risk. Why aren't there tests?

these things ,(lights) they arent covered on a driving test then? or by an instructor?

how come nobody knows this stuff??

MrsDmit YES!!! What is it with twats who leave their bright rear fogs on when you are in middle of town and cars nose to tail.. bastards!

xenon headlights - this seems to accept the danger and then dismiss it!

I find them v distracting to drive towards.

And don't get me started on the overuse of fog lights!

I have these xenon light thingies, coupled with a poncy adjuster thing which narrows my beam in built up areas and widens it on open country roads, which seems to be a PITA for oncoming vehicles too.

They are super bright, and people are FOREVER flashing at me!

that link is hilarious - I love the way it says "here are these really annoying dangerous lights that can blind other motorists - and here's how to obtain some cos they are way cool!"

put your full beam on until they dip theirs.

Exactly, youngvisitor! Mad - they're dangerous to other people, but heh, sod other people cos they're cool too!

I despair .

Loads of cars have those really bright lights round here .

They really do burn your retinas.