Motorists warned 'don't forget this one fog light rule' or risk an on-the-spot fine

With dangerous fog warnings across the UK and darker evenings, motorists are being reminded of a simple Highway Code rule that many get wrong.

Motoring expert Sean Gallimore at motoring insurance brand Lexham Insurance says:

"With the weather taking a turn after months of dry spells, it may take a moment for motorists to adjust to driving in more difficult weather conditions.

It's important to follow one simple fog light rule to avoid potential fines and prevent dazzling other motorists on the road, as 46% of road users say blinding headlights make them feel unsafe."

Sean advises, "if fog, heavy rain or spray from the roads genuinely limits your visibility to under 100 metres ahead of you, you absolutely should use your fog lights under Rule 226 of the Highway Code.

"They cut through fog, rain and spray far more effectively than standard headlights, making you more visible to everyone else on the road. Rear fog lights are particularly important for motorbikes, which are generally harder to spot in poor visibility than a four-wheeled vehicle."

However, he warns motorists that there is a little-known road rule that they could be breaking:

"Rule 236 says you must not use them unless visibility is seriously reduced. Using them unnecessarily, or forgetting to turn them off once visibility improves, can be treated as careless driving under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. That usually means a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points.

"If it goes to court, you could face an unlimited fine, up to nine points and a possible driving ban. Dazzling other motorists or hiding your brake lights falls below the standard expected of a careful and considerate driver."

And that's not the only reason why you should avoid using your fog lights unnecessarily when visibility improves. The motoring expert warns why the risk is even greater for motorcyclists:

"Very few bikes have front fog lights fitted, so most of the exposure here isn't about what riders switch on themselves, it's about what other drivers leave on. A car's fog lights left on unnecessarily can dazzle a rider at close range with no windscreen to soften the glare, and if your brake lights are obscured by your rear fog light in traffic, a rider often has far less time to react than someone in a car behind you."