Mandatory fog lights ‘could reduce car accidents in UAE’

In 2013, the Ministry of Interior and Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority said it was considering making fog lights mandatory on all vehicles.

Road safety experts would like to see fog lights be made mandatory on vehicles in the UAE to reduce accidents. Courtesy Maurizio Pesare

ABU DHABI // Foggy conditions pose a threat to motorists, but a law to make fog lights mandatory could help reduce the risk, road safety experts say.

Heavy fog descended on the country on Sunday, leading to fears of a spate of accidents similar to last month when fog resulted in at least four major crashes, including one on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road on January 17 involving 69 vehicles.

Dino Kalivas, chairman of driver education and training at the International Road Federation, believes making fog lights mandatory on cars could reduce the number of crashes.

“Fog lights and automated vehicle lights that switch on due to poor natural light or fog, or during low-visibility conditions, could reduce the risk of collisions,” Mr Kalivas said.

“Research shows that increasing visibility between vehicles reduces crash risk by more than 30 per cent.”

In 2013, the Ministry of Interior and Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority said they were considering such a law for all vehicles.

“Making rear fog lamps a requirement on vehicles imported after a certain date would make the most sense,” said Michael Dreznes, IRF’s executive vice president. “Motorists who want to be safe should consider adding an after-market rear fog lamp on their own. However, making this a mandate would be difficult to enforce.”

Having at least front fog lights should be mandatory, said Glenn Havinoviski, associate vice president of the US traffic management company Iteris.

“Rear fog lamps, which are only mandatory for vehicles sold in Europe, are very helpful to drivers in heavy fog when you otherwise wouldn’t be able to see,” he said.

“Front fog lights would greatly help with fog visibility but are not necessarily advantageous to people in front of you. But the main issues, from the public viewpoint, may be aesthetics and cost.

“If there is an issue with immediately making the change there should be a grace period of one year to install fog lamps.”

A cause for concern, though, is that many drivers use fog lights in perfectly clear weather.

“Any law requiring the use of fog lamps should say something to the effect that, ‘The driver of a vehicle must not use any fog lights unless driving in fog, mist or under other atmospheric conditions that restrict visibility’,” Mr Havinoviski said.

A campaign on proper use of the lights is needed, said Darren Male, a health, safety, security and environmental manager in Dubai. “All too often we see vehicles being driven with the front fog lamps used in place of headlights,” Mr Male said.

There is technology that can sense fog and activate lights, with dashboard signs to warn motorists to slow down before they get to the foggy area, Mr Dreznes said. “These dynamic signs can be very effective compared to static signs,” he said.

The overhead gantry boards being introduced in Abu Dhabi could also help to warn and remind drivers how to adapt to changing driving conditions, Mr Kalivas said.

“Drivers should you use headlights on low if conditions are foggy, if their vehicles do not have fog light technology.”