RAC issues warning over £1,000 driving mistake | Tech News

The RAC is warning drivers they may very well be landed with a effective of up to £1,000 for making a common driving mistake this winter. Guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) states that fog lights ought to solely be switched on when visibility drops beneath 100 metres when driving on British roads, however in line with new analysis, as many as 60% of drivers use their fog lights on the flawed instances.

Findings from a survey carried out by eBay have discovered that more than one in 10 drivers change on their fog lights when visibility is much less than 300 metres, which implies motorists risk being fined up to £1,000 and given three penalty factors on their licence. The Highway Code states that drivers should use headlights when visibility on the street is severely lowered, and that is usually whenever you can’t see for more than 100 metres (328 ft).

In this example, you may additionally use your entrance or rear fog lights, however these have to be switched off as soon as visibility improves.

The Highway Code Rule 236 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.”

eBay analysis additionally uncovered one other worrying trend in regard to the use of headlights, with 48% of drivers saying they activate full-beam headlights when it’s darkish outdoors, regardless of oncoming site visitors and different street customers, whereas many don’t have their fog lights usually maintained.

eBay analysed knowledge from the DVSA on MOT move charges and located 4.3 million MOT failures referring to entrance and/or back lights between June 2024 and June 2025, with round 31,000 of these being attributable to entrance or rear fog lights.

The findings observe current analysis from the RAC into dazzling headlight glare which discovered that many drivers are nervous about being on the roads at evening attributable to vibrant headlights.

Of the 1,701 respondents who took half within the survey, one-in-four drivers (25%) who discover headlights too vibrant are driving much less as a outcome and a additional 22% say they want they’d the option to drive much less at evening, however don’t have one other kind of transport. 

The RAC has been campaigning with The College of Optometrists, IAM RoadSmart and Baroness Hayter for the causes of headlight glare to be investigated, which has led to the Government commissioning unbiased analysis, carried out by TRL, which is because of be revealed quickly. 

RAC senior coverage officer Rod Dennis stated: “Unfortunately, for a lot of drivers the annual onset of darker evenings coincides with another unwelcome arrival – that of overly-bright headlights that they believe make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort. 

“While most of us have no choice other than to adapt to driving at night more often as the clocks go back, the fact headlight glare is the leading cause of nervousness underlines it’s a problem that needs tackling. 

“At the same time, it’s important to remember that brighter headlights can give drivers a better view of the road ahead – so there’s a balance to be struck. 

“We look forward to the publication of the Government’s report and hope that it helps explain why so many drivers report struggling to cope with dazzling headlights – whether that’s due to changes in technology, the fact more of us than ever are driving vehicles that sit higher on the road, or for some other reason. We also hope it comes with recommendations that lead to road users feeling safer behind the wheel at night.”