Has it ever been established through research that rear fog lights provide a safety benefit beyond other means such as using the hazard warning lights? As this forum is so often reminded there is a major difference in subjective opinion and objective fact. One study from the University of Michigan's researcher Michael Flannagan states, "In terms of vehicle lighting, the most promising approach to improving safety in fog may be the use of rear fog lamps. Such lamps would appear to be very effective in addressing the important problem of collisions with other vehicles in fog." Ok, I believe it Michael Flannagan is a smart man, but, it is an opinion built on maybes and what might be. It is not a fact based on research.
This same report has other such opinion statements such as this, "The NTSB report considered a range of possible countermeasures, including better use of citizens band radios, and laser and radar detection systems. The report discussed, and dismissed, the possibility of front fog lamps as a solution in a single short paragraph, which also included a favorable mention of rear fog lamps." I am not going to run out and get a CB radio based on this report nor will I install a rear fog light because it received favorable mention.
The study concludes, "In terms of vehicle lighting, the most promising approach to improving safety in fog may be the use of rear fog lamps."
It certainly may be. But it may not be.
This study is rather old. There are hopefully more recent studies. Do any of you have links to studies or research about the safety aspects of rear fog lights?
This same report has other such opinion statements such as this, "The NTSB report considered a range of possible countermeasures, including better use of citizens band radios, and laser and radar detection systems. The report discussed, and dismissed, the possibility of front fog lamps as a solution in a single short paragraph, which also included a favorable mention of rear fog lamps." I am not going to run out and get a CB radio based on this report nor will I install a rear fog light because it received favorable mention.
The study concludes, "In terms of vehicle lighting, the most promising approach to improving safety in fog may be the use of rear fog lamps."
It certainly may be. But it may not be.
This study is rather old. There are hopefully more recent studies. Do any of you have links to studies or research about the safety aspects of rear fog lights?
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