Fog-Lights In Daytime

Sir, - Recent correspondence on this subject in your column recently suggests that many Irish drivers do not understand that …

Sir, - Recent correspondence on this subject in your column recently suggests that many Irish drivers do not understand that car lights have two purposes. They are there not only that you can see (at night) but also so that you can be seen. Bright headlights in daytime certainly draw attention to a car, but they do not cause glare or danger as in daylight the eye is adapted to bright lights and in particular the pupil is well constricted. Many drivers now wisely adopt the practise of using dipped headlights routinely. Fog-lights may in fact be an improvement on this as their beams are focused downwards. The suggestion that drivers turn on their lights to enhance their macho image is offensive. Safe drivers want to be seen.Perhaps the solution to this would be for us to adopt the Scandinavian practise, such as we see routinely in Volvo and Saabs, of having the car lighting system linked to the ignition so that drivers who do not understand the importance of being seen are forced to drive with extra illumination at all times. - Yours, etc., Paul MacMahon,Blenheim Heights,Waterford.