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Use of fog lights and cell phone while driving…
Posted 12/21/2012 Updated 12/21/2012
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Commentary by Eduardo Lima
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
12/21/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- Now that we are going through frequent periods of bad weather due to the winter months, I would like to remind everybody on the appropriate use of the fog lights installed in your vehicle while driving on the local roads.
The use of fog lights in the front and rear of a vehicle is only authorized when it's foggy and visibility is diminished. As a matter of fact, according to article 61 of the Portuguese Traffic Road Code, drivers must turn on the fog light in the rear of their vehicles when visibility is reduced due to intense fog conditions so other drivers can notice the presence of the vehicles in front of them, but only under these conditions.
The use of fog lights in the front is not mandatory and is only intended to help increase drivers' visibility during situations of intense fog.
Also, but not related with weather conditions, is the rule that bans the use of a cell phone while driving. Article 84 of the Portuguese Traffic Road Code states it's strictly prohibited to use a cell phone while driving a motor vehicle. If the driver needs to receive a call or place a call on a cell phone while driving, he or she needs to pull over to the side of the road, come to a complete stop and then receive or place the call. However, the use of a free-hands kit (microphone and earphone) while driving is authorized.
Currently, violators of this law will be charged a fine, but the Portuguese government has already announced new legislation regarding the use of cell phones. According to these rules, drivers caught using a cell phone while driving will not only be charged with a fine but may also lose their driving privileges for a certain period of time.
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