Fog light WARNING – How and when to turn them on and avoid this £50 fine 

UK weather is set to move from a cold spell to a more mild feel this week which will cause many parts of the country to be engulfed in

Tropical air moving across the atlantic towards Britain is said to be the cause of the freakish change in weather. 

It could be so severe the Met Office has now issued a weather warning for fog across southern Britain. 

Motorists are now being warned that the fog could make driving incredibly dangerous with visibility reduced across many busy roads.

This will mean many drivers switch on their fog lights but using them improperly can land them a non-endurable penalty charge notice. 

In fact, drivers can face a £50 fine for not switching off their fog lights when conditions improve.

Under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 prohibits the use of front and rear fog lights when visibility is not reduced significantly. 

The DVLA has provided information on how drivers can safely drive in fog and avoid any potential punishments. 

Drivers are being encouraged to check there fog lights before setting off on a journey to make sure they are working correctly and to ensure you know exactly how to operate them. 

Under rule 226 of the Highway Code it says “You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. 

“You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.”

Here is what you should do when driving in fog:

Before entering fog, you should check your mirrors, then slow down.

Keep a safe distance behind the vehicles in front, greater in distance than you would in normal driving conditions. 

If the word ‘Fog’ is shown on a roadside signal but the road is clear, be prepared for a bank of fog or drifting patchy fog ahead. Even if it seems to be clearing, you can suddenly find yourself in thick fog.

You should only use your fog lights if distance is reduced below 100 metres – which is the length of the average football field. 

Beware of other drivers who may not be using headlights or fog lights.