i got pulled over for having it on at night!

the cop thought it was aftermarket like street glow stuff

i laughed

 

Was it foggy? I hate to see rear fogs on when it's not foggy - they really are quite distracting.

(edit: Don't mean to spout off negativity here - the rear fog is quite effective and a worthwhile option - it's just, well, eager2own said it well below)

 

lol no it wasnt at all...i just like the look of the lights

 

+1 - I don't mind front fogs as they're low lights intended to light under the fog, and therefore are not annoying to oncoming traffic -- but rear fogs (which are designed to warn approaching traffic in the fog) are specifically engineered to catch the attention of the car behind you (i.e. they are specifically designed to be annoying -- and succeed at it when not needed).

Edit- don't mean to be overly negative either, as noted below, there are times when they are appropriate -- and in dense fog I've often wished I had it

 

I only really use mine while on mountain/canyon roads in daylight, or in the rain/dust.

 

The rear fog is great in severe rainstorms as well as fog. I could not make out the cars in front of me so well, but I am sure who ever was behind me could see the Mini! But it has to be annoying when the weather is clear.

I like it better than cars with rear fogs that are in the taillight; those look like one of the brake lights are on.

regards,
Red

 

Did you receive a ticket or a friendly warning?

 

If its not foggy it is against the law to have it on.(atleast in cal) Just a heads up.

 

to

 

to keep a distracted suv driver from running me over....

 

I've been known to put it on to discourage tailgaters as well - it does the job and keeps us safer

I do use it in the rain and fog and am very glad to have it. I much much much prefer it as a separate light rather then an integrated into the brakes kind, I really don't think it is as effective to simply have it look so much like braking in bad weather since the people behind you are thus more apt to get accustomed to the extra red in the lamps and perhaps not respond as quickly when you really do have to lay on the brakes.

 

i like to turn it on at night when no one's behind me. it's fun seeing how far the light goes and i just like turning on lights at night. such as both front and rear fogs. i like to remind myself i have them.

 

I would say that you should invest in the third brake light pulse (http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...ROD&ProdID=279)

as doing what you are doing could get you a ticket. Here in Germany it is against the law to use front or rear fogs without fog and if they are on, there is a speed restriction. However, the Germans are starting to use them with rain and other severe weather as well. I personally think that is a great idea and hope that it catches on.

 

Rear fogs can be blindingly bright when there is no weather. And I think alot of people turn them just for looks. I for one hate being behind rear fogs that are on when there is no weather, for the same reason I hate being in front of people that forget to turn off thier high beams. They are blinding and distracting. Yes, I've used the for inclimate weather and for other reasons like flashing people to tell them they are tailgating and people that forgeet to turn of thier high beams. But NEVER leave them on. They are a blinding distraction to others. I for one, am glad you got pulled over for using this saftey tool incorrectly.

I find it horrible that you laughed at blinding other drivers and putting them in possible danger.

 

sounds like you deserved it? Doesnt seem like it would warrant much surprise.

 

I don't think that's what was said at all - it appears NickS just had it on to have it on - it's fun to "use" the options we've all selected on our Coopers. In this case, however, there are very valid reasons to not use the rear fog when it's not warranted - such reasons presented fairly eloquently (and politely, thank you) above.

It's quite possible that having the rear fog on is a part of why they are distracted!

Whatever one thinks about SUVs (since the category definition has now grown to include some useful, practical, fuel-efficient alternatives, and not just biguglycrudeguzzlers), ANY distracted driver is a worry. I just don't want to add to their distraction.

The brake pulsar (pulser?) is a nifty addition but, despite the circuitry intended to minimize this, can be annoying to be behind in stop n go traffic. I also question the true legality of running a red flashing light if you're directly in front of a State Trooper in such stop n go traffic... even if the red flashing light only flashes x times before going solid.

A side note: This forum has to be among the most polite and least flame-throwing I've read, with the possible exception of the Honda Odyssey minivan discussion board (yes, there is one). Great to be here.

 

In Missouri, and this varies by state, I don't think a flashing red to the rear like the pulsing brakelight (not a constantly flashing red light like an emergency vehicle would have) is illegal. In fact, my wife works for an ambulance service and I think one of their newer units has pulsing brakelights. A flashing red to the front would get you in all kinds of trouble however. Only white or amber can be displayed to the front-with the exception of volunteer firefighters/EMS personnel who can use a flashing blue light with a special exemption. As I said, this varies by state since many states use blue lights on police vehicles and red on fire/EMS vehicles.

FWIW, I remember reading in a post here a while back that rear fogs are illegal in some states. IIRC, the post said that one of the states they were illegal in was Oregon.

 

OK, Understood, He wasn't laughing at putting pepole in danger. But when I read

I believe the OP is not thinking about what light does to others on the road. I find it as blatant disregard to the safety of others, unless of course it is used in the proper situations.

I've got Hi-beams, fog lamps and driving lamps all "Fun to use" and I like the way the look when they are on but that doesn't mean they stay on at night and blind people, they all have their uses. And Lucky for me I actually get to use my PIAA driving lights at night as I drive through a heavily wooded, poorly lit, two lane park at night and I turn them off to oncoming traffic.

Just my opinion on the matter. the OP posted something and I posted my opinion on the matter.

DixonL2--please don't look at this as a rebuttal. this is just how I see it.

 

Rear fogs are legal in Oregon. http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/816.html
Flashing brake lights are not legal in Oregon.

 

I bought the option because I drive on an interstate every day to and from work. I go in extremely early, and have to pass over a lake, and pass through an area that has several lakes in close proximity of the highway. It gets extremely foggy at times in these areas where otherwise it is not. Driving in these conditions, I currently turn on the front fog lights of my SUV to enable me to see better. I'm not as concerned with being seen right now because of the size of my current vehicle. However, when my Mini arrives, I will be extremely concerned with the 18-wheelers on the road and their ability to pick me out on the dark highway. It is for that reason that I opted for the rear fog lights and I WILL use them accordingly.

I will not however, turn them on just to have them on. It is my intention to use them for the purpose for which they were designed.

 

I was close. Something involving lights was illegal in Oregon.

Thanks for the correction.

 

Legality of the third pulsar will vary from state to state, but there are some Hondas that come with it from the factory. That being said, it does not constantly flash so the leaglity is very sketchy. It only flashes about 5 times before staying on permemantly.

As for following it in traffic, if you are annoyed, you are at least paying attention. I have followed cars with it before (in traffic) and it didn't bother me one bit. I think that it should be a permenant addition.

 

The Oregon Law classifies Brake Lights as;
' Brake lights shall be placed on the rear of the vehicle. Where more than one brake light is required under ORS 816.320 and 816.330 at least one brake light shall be placed on each side of the rear.'

They provide no classification for the third brake light, we questioned this with the OSP, and since a 'PULSAR' is connected to the third brake light and does not effect the standard brake lights we were told it would not be an issue. We have driven in Oregon many times with our 'PULSAR' with Police both LEO and OSP following us. We were not stopped once. During MMW this year numerous PSMINI Members went to Oregon and all of them have 'PULSARs'. A Police car followed one of members for miles and he used his brakes regularly nothing happened.

 

I just use mine in the fog...both front and rear.

 

No worries, I think we're in "vehement agreement"!