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Since You Asked: Headlights must be on in fog, law says Friday Jan 26, 2018 at 4:13 AM What are the laws for people using headlights in the fog? Seems to me it's just as dangerous without lights in the fog as it is at night. I drive on Highway 62, and I would guess that at least half of traffic in the fog doesn't have their lights on. — Mitch W., Medford Headlights on foggy days is more than a good idea, Mitch, it's state law. Oregon Department of Transportation spokesman Gary Leaming pointed us to page 55 of the DMV Oregon Driver Manual, which is all about hazardous conditions. Headlights are required from sunrise to sunset, and any time conditions make it difficult to see people or vehicles 1,000 feet ahead, according to the handbook, later adding that, "It is illegal to drive a vehicle at night or in bad weather with only the parking lights on." How illegal is it? It's a Class B traffic violation, according to Jackson County Sheriff's Sgt. Julie Denney. She said the priority of police is preventing crashes rather than writing tickets, but they can write tickets under Oregon Revised Statute 811.520 — failure to use lights. The presumptive fine is $265. Denney said there are a couple possible reasons why drivers don't turn on their lights. For starters, conditions can change from one part of the county to another. Sometimes the foggy conditions dawn on us gradually. Other vehicles are equipped with headlights that switch on automatically, but there are times when it's bright and foggy out. Although many cars are equipped with daytime running lights, those typically only help with visibility from the front. Turning on headlights also improves taillight visibility from the rear in foggy conditions, Denney said. Leaming said that the lights can make an impact, particularly for dark or silver vehicles that can "easily blend in" with the foggy atmosphere. "It's better to be seen than not seen," Leaming said. — Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.