When and when not to use front/rear fog lights

Here we run into another visibility dilemma. While we all want to let people know we are there in the pouring rain, there is a balance that must be maintained when letting others know, otherwise you are just another nuisance on the road. Regular taillights, you need them, they get the job done and they tell other drivers, "Hey, I'm here." 

So why do we always see other drivers using their fog lights on a clear night or in a light rain? We don't know the answer. When asked the usual answer is, "For visibility" and "so other people can see me." Well, if you are driving a chunk of metal with working taillights in weather that doesn't look that bad, then of course you can be seen.

In the grand scheme of things, the taillights should be enough to mark your position for other drivers. Having a high intensity light source in the back is a bit much if there is already enough illumination. The rear rear fog will also reduce the conspicuousness of the rear brake lights, so stopping will give you three bright lights pointing backwards. 

While the front fog lights are less invasive, the rear fog lights can distract other drivers on the road if weather conditions are clear. Rear fog lights are part of standard safety equipment, but they can be a nuisance and downright dangerous for other drivers who may be blinded by the high intensity of a rear bulb or bulbs. 

Let's go back to the light in question. It's called a fog light. It applies to fog. It can also double as a light during a downpour, but anything less and it can be a nuisance to other drivers on the road. You don't have to keep it on all the time. The headlights and front fog lights are marked with a green light on the instrument cluster. When the rear fog light is on, an orange icon in the instrument cluster indicates that it is less normal to have the rear fog light on than to have the front light on. 

It is also dangerous to have this light on at all times because it is literally an obvious danger to others on the road. In short, do not use your rear fog lights if it's not raining hard enough. If your windshield becomes blurry and you have to turn your wipers on full blast, it is more acceptable to use the rear fog. In poor visibility, dense fog always beats pouring rain because it's as if you're gazing through frosted glass.