I use mine every time I step on the brake. (Brake light mod).
I would like people behind me to notice me during the brief times that I'm braking.
I've changed the rear fog bulbs to slightly dimmer and much lower powered
multi-LED ones, so they're not blinding and they're not a risk to frying the control unit.

 

I was waiting at a traffic light where the car in front of me had extra bright brake-lights. Certainly brighter than spec. They were not foglights (but could have been), but was mounted right about eye level of the car behind them (me). I was totally blinded by it. When the car drove off, I could only see spots. Those of you who drive with the rear foglight on when not necessary are actually causing a dangerous situation for the driver behind you. In bad weather or in fog, no problem.

In good weather, even if you're not a dangerous driver, you're causing a dangerous situation for the cars around you. Not your problem? Probably not....

 

I think some here are going on the supposition that the fog is blinding based on other experiences whereas the low mounted fog light on the Mini in question really is not akin to eye level lights. I've driven behind the SO in the 05 MCS with the fog on and it was no thing, really the cars and trucks with high brake lights/signals/headlights are much worse when it comes to the eyes being dazzled and feeling blinded.

 

Some peoples eyes are more sensitive to the red spectrum. It may be no big deal to you, but to others, it could temporarily blind them.

 

If someone were more light sensitive then me they wouldn't be able to drive at all

Seriously though, I am terribly sensitive to light glare and as a result I do not like driving at night - sure, I understand that some may be more sensitive to red in particular or other parts of the spectrum, but I was just saying to put it in context with everything else and when compared to all of the super bright high mounted lights on the road the low mounted R53 Mini fog light is not the worst thing as some people seem to be assuming from experience with other cars.

 

I've driven behind a MINI with it's fog lights on - they didn't 'blind' me but they were distracting - much like a person driving with their turn signal on.

T

 

I agree with you on this. The 05+ MINI's low mounted foglight is not as blinding. But it is terribly distracting. This is probably the reason they moved it from the taillight assembly down low.