Fog Lights and Indicators - What are the rules

[PPK]

Hi All

I own a Polo 6R with sports pack. As standard, when driving at night (ie the lights are on), when I indicate left or right the corresponding fog light comes on (to assist with lighting whats around the corner). Likewise, when travelling at low speed, when you turn the steering wheel far enough one way, the corresponding fog light comes on.

A police officer has just waved me over and advised that one of my fog lights were on when I rounded the corner. I explained what it was and it was standard with the car, but he said that it was illegal to have any fog light on when there is no fog.

Now, the police officer was perfectly nice about it all (so no police bashing), but what are the correct rules? I understand that he is actually correct, however this feature is standard on the car. I would have just thought that they wouldn't be able to sell the car in Australia if didn't meet certain standards (or at least have disabled the feature for the Australian market)

[wai]

These are referred to as "cornering lamps" and are covered by Australian Design Rules ADR 13/00 and ADR 45/01.

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 13/00 - Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices on other than L-Group Vehicles) 2005

This is a search link for them

https://www.google.com.au/search?rls...G4CQ&gws_rd=cr

Essentially all that has to be demonstrated is that the appropriate cornering lamp comes on when the turn signal is activated for that side or the steering wheel has more than a certain angle input. In both cases this only happens when the speed is under 40 km/h

[epigoo]

Hi PPK, I think we need to tell them is not the fog lights and the manufacturer called cornering lights. These lights are also standard in the old Nissan maxima or even the ford fairlane in the old days. Since then the law is always there too. We have to clear that is a cornering lights not fog lights and that is a safety features to help drivers to make the turn and not annoying the oncoming traffic!

[Hillbilly]

He is quite right in that FOG lights may only be used when the weather is inclement.

These are two different lights in a Passat!!!!

I had a Toyota Corona in 1988 that had them so they aren't new.

Quite a few Japanese spec cars in NZ had them way back then.

Sounds like the cop needs to read the ADR rules and get up to date.

[Hail22]

These are referred to as "cornering lamps" and are covered by Australian Design Rules ADR 13/00 and ADR 45/01.

Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 13/00 - Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices on other than L-Group Vehicles) 2005

This is a search link for them

https://www.google.com.au/search?rls...G4CQ&gws_rd=cr

Essentially all that has to be demonstrated is that the appropriate cornering lamp comes on when the turn signal is activated for that side or the steering wheel has more than a certain angle input. In both cases this only happens when the speed is under 40 km/h

Either that or quote the section / subsection of the ADR so they can check it up themselves...haha.

[gavs]

The fog lamp bulbs are also in a different part of the fog light assembly and as such are independent of the cornering lights. If you didn't get an infringement notice, don't worry about it. If you did, just head into your local police station, explain the situation and take with you the brochure and owners manual for the polo to show them and if they're in a good mood they should be able to help you out...

[wai]

Just to clarify things, here is it from Appendix A of ADR 13/00.

6.20.7. Electrical connections

The cornering lamps must be so connected that they cannot be activated unless the main-beam headlamps or the dipped-beam headlamps are switched ON at the same time.

The cornering lamp on one side of the vehicle may only be switched ON automatically when the direction indicators on the same side of the vehicle are switched ON and/or when the steering angle is changed from the straight-ahead position towards the same side of the vehicle.

The cornering lamp shall be switched OFF automatically when the direction indicator is switched OFF and/or the steering angle has
returned in the straight-ahead position.

6.20.9. Other requirements

The cornering lamps shall not be activated at vehicle speeds above 40 km/h.

So, if you have to argue the case, this is it.