Police in the region recently issued a warning to drivers saying they would be cracking down on illegal use of fog lights. 

Last week, a story posted on The Irrigator’s Facebook page explained drivers using their fog lights incorrectly would be fined by police. 

The topic generated heated debated on the post, with many all for the police cracking down on the issue, while others were vehemently against  it. 

Alan Bollington wrote how he thought it was “about time” the police did something. 

“To all you people that think it's okay to have them on and it's only revenue raising, try sitting up high in a truck,” he said.

“You get the full force of the light reflecting from the bottom of the lenses and this is the reason low beam only reflect on the top of the lenses so there not shinning up.

“Besides that, most fog lights are, or have been upgraded to be, brighter than low beam.

“They are not needed, so why use them?

“Is it that you think they look good or what? Speak to older drivers, it seems the older they are the more fog lights affect them and they still have a right to drive.”

Sergeant Steve Mallam of the Murray Cluster Highway Patrol has urged drivers to be aware of using fog lights, with many drivers leaving their fog lights on in summer when there is no fog.

“It is an offence to drive with your fog lights switched on unnecessarily,” he said.

“A driver is only permitted to use fog lights if driving in fog, mist or other atmospheric conditions that restrict visibility. 

“There have been a lot of drivers using their fog lights in summer conditions which can make it difficult for other drivers to see, which can lead to serious issues on our roads.”

A poll conducted by The Irrigator found 720 respondents thought drivers should be able to use their fog lights at any time, while 669 people disagreed, believing they should also be used at the appropriate time. Thirty-eight people were unsure were they stood on the issue. 

Some, such as Vincent Bollen said police should be targeting other areas as well. 

“Why not target the cars that have inoperative lights?” he asked. “(For example), one headlight, faulty tail lights, brake lights and turn indicator lights or those cars that drive with rear fog lights on.”

Jayson Lepper weighed in on the debate saying he thought police resources could be better directed. 

Police said fog lights were a nuisance and can dazzle or distract other drivers causing temporary blindness from approaching vehicles or vehicles travelling behind.

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Mayor Paul Maytom said it was important police were on top of all the issues associated with cars and their lights. 

“Let's hope the police are equally as vigilant in fining drivers with no lights on at dawn and dusk and poor conditions which is a ‘real’ safety issue,” he said.

“There is a big difference between fog lights and driving lights.”