Massachusetts now a "Headlights on when wipers on" state

[roadman]

Effective today:

http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/uncategorized/new-motor-vehicle-light-law-starts-april-7/

Now if only they'd get ther heads out of their butts and make texting while driving a surchargable offense as well (not to mention a standard of fault for crashes).  Then again, to quote Suzie Derkins - And while I'm dreaming ...

[vdeane]

I'd prefer it if the laws were "headlights on when visibility is reduced".  "When wipers on" technically includes using the washer fluid to remove dirt or bugs from the windshield (or water splashed on from a puddle), and once in a blue moon, there's a rain storm where it's bright and sunny.  Seriously, it's really annoying to have to turn my headlights on when visibility is fine, as my dash dims to near invisibility when the headlights are on.

[JKRhodes]

I took a trip to California back in 2008 and recall driving back in the rain, listening to a CHP spokesman on a local radio station explaining the law to state that if it's raining hard enough to use the windshield wipers, headlight usage is required.

I should hope no cop is bored enough to initiate a traffic stop or write a ticket for removing bugguts or dust with the wipers w/ no headlights when visibility is otherwise fine. Are there cases where this has actually happened?

[jeffandnicole]

Here's NJ's definition pertaining to the Wipers On, Lights On law.  Unless windshield wiper fluid qualifies as precipitation, it is clear that momentary wiper usage is fine:

39:3-46. As used in this article, unless the context requires another or different construction:

"When lighted lamps are required" means at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise; whenever rain, mist, snow or other precipitation or atmospheric moisture requires the use of windshield wipers by motorists; and during any time when, due to smoke, fog, unfavorable atmospheric conditions or for any other cause there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead.

[Pete from Boston]

I'd prefer it if the laws were "headlights on when visibility is reduced".  "When wipers on" technically includes using the washer fluid to remove dirt or bugs from the windshield (or water splashed on from a puddle), and once in a blue moon, there's a rain storm where it's bright and sunny.  Seriously, it's really annoying to have to turn my headlights on when visibility is fine, as my dash dims to near invisibility when the headlights are on.

Realistically, it's not that annoying because most people have their lights on all the time anyway these days, which is not a bad thing.  Moreover, I think a cop would be just as annoyed to have to write you a ticket for you cleaning dirt off your windshield as you would be to receive it — in other words, I don't think you have to worry that that will happen.

"Reduced visibility" is a vague standard that probably isn't all that far from whatever vague standard of safe operation exists now.  At least with "wipers on" there's something concrete to judge.

Fortunately it rained in Massachusetts today, giving us all an opportunity to wrap our heads around this new complex wrinkle of motorist regulation.

[vdeane]

Daytime running lights aren't even close to headlights.  They're smaller and don't turn on the rear lights.  I'm pretty sure these laws require the ACTUAL headlights be on, not the DRLs.

While a cop likely wouldn't ticket someone for removing dust etc., I still don't want to risk it.  And that still leaves the "raining while sunny" scenario.

[briantroutman]

Daytime running lights aren't even close to headlights.  They're smaller and don't turn on the rear lights.  I'm pretty sure these laws require the ACTUAL headlights be on, not the DRLs.

At least in the case of PA's "headlights in work zones"  law: the PA State Police ran radio PSAs when the law was new in which an actual state trooper stated explicitly: "Motorists in vehicles with daytime running lights must turn on their headlights in order to activate their taillights."

[Pete from Boston]

I never said anything about daytime running lights.  Most folks I know flip the lights on whenever driving.  It's a good habit, and leaves no need for hand-wringing about sun showers.

[corco]

I'd prefer it if the laws were "headlights on when visibility is reduced".  "When wipers on" technically includes using the washer fluid to remove dirt or bugs from the windshield (or water splashed on from a puddle), and once in a blue moon, there's a rain storm where it's bright and sunny.  Seriously, it's really annoying to have to turn my headlights on when visibility is fine, as my dash dims to near invisibility when the headlights are on.

I feel like you've mentioned this before- Have you tried adjusting the dimmer switch on your dashboard? If I recall right, you drive a newish Civic- with your headlights on, twist the knob that you'd normally push to reset your trip odometer (there might be a second knob that looks like it, don't really remember).

[Brian556]

Y'all are worried about being ticketed for not having lights on when removing bugs/dirt? They are not going to do this.

Heck, around here, barely 50% of drivers turn on their lights when it's raining. This goes to show you that the police are not doing their jobs, and are not enforcing this law.

Not only that, around here, there are a significant number of drivers without lights on, until it gets completely dark, and they are getting away with it. It pisses me off that they get away with doing something that is so dangerous to other drivers, and the police do nothing.

[corco]

I'd prefer it if the laws were "headlights on when visibility is reduced".  "When wipers on" technically includes using the washer fluid to remove dirt or bugs from the windshield (or water splashed on from a puddle), and once in a blue moon, there's a rain storm where it's bright and sunny.  Seriously, it's really annoying to have to turn my headlights on when visibility is fine, as my dash dims to near invisibility when the headlights are on.

I think that's intended to be covered in the bill text, but it's not very clearly worded.

" Every vehicle, whether stationary or in motion, on any public way shall display at least 2 lighted lamps on the front and every motorcycle, whether stationary or in motion, on any public way shall display at least 1 lighted lamp on the front when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, including, but not limited to, periods of snow, rain or fog, persons or vehicles on the way are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet ahead or it is necessary to use a vehicle's windshield wipers. "

I read that as when due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, it is necessary to use windshield wipers, lights must be on. It could also be read as if there is insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions or if it is necessary to use windshield wipers, lights must be on.

Though, honestly, the way it reads to me is that "vehicles" must have headlights on at all times and motorcycles only need to have their headlights on in the above noted circumstances. Obviously that's not what they intend, though. Unless I'm looking at the wrong bill, it's really sloppily worded.

It was the wrong bill:

"A vehicle, whether stationary or in motion, on a public way, shall have attached to it headlights and taillights which shall be turned on by the vehicle operator and so displayed as to be visible from the front and rear during the period of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; provided, however, that such headlights and taillights shall be turned on by the vehicle operator at all other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, visibility is reduced such that persons or vehicles on the roadway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet or when the vehicle's windshield wipers are needed; provided further, that this section shall not apply to a vehicle which is designed to be propelled by hand; and provided further, that a vehicle carrying hay or straw for the purpose of transporting persons on a hayride shall display only electrically operated lights which shall be 2 flashing amber lights to the front and 2 flashing red lights to the rear, each of which shall be at least 6 inches in diameter and mounted 6 feet from the ground."

is the actual text, which to me clearly says that when wipers are needed due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, lights need to be on. That would exclude using the windshield washer.

[Pete from Boston]

I affix a rotating array of a dozen roof-mounted high-intensity xenon lamps to my vehicle, such that a sort of dome of light surrounds me and is visible at all times anywhere within a half-mile radius around and above the vehicle, day or night.  Adjacent streetlamps, their sensors fooled into mistaking the scene for daylight, switch off as I pass.

This allows me to engage in my preferred practice of leaving my windshield wipers on at all times.

[02 Park Ave]

What's with tailights?  I've never heard of any requirements regarding them before this thread.

My high-beam headlights come on, at reduced voltage, whenever I am in gear; I've always assumed that covered me for any "Turn on your headlights" requirement.

[Alps]

Most folks I know keep their DRLs on at night so that I can barely tell there's a car there before I blow by them at a 30 mph speed differential (I'm going 75, they're going 45, the speed limit is somewhere between).

[Pete from Boston]

For better elucidation (get it?), here is the statute, from an unofficial source:

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:

Section 15 of chapter 85 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the first sentence and inserting in place thereof the following sentence:–  A vehicle, whether stationary or in motion, on a public way, shall have attached to it headlights and taillights which shall be turned on by the vehicle operator and so displayed as to be visible from the front and rear during the period of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; provided, however, that such headlights and taillights shall be turned on by the vehicle operator at all other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, visibility is reduced such that persons or vehicles on the roadway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet or when the vehicle's windshield wipers are needed; provided further, that this section shall not apply to a vehicle which is designed to be propelled by hand; and provided further, that a vehicle carrying hay or straw for the purpose of transporting persons on a hayride shall display only electrically operated lights which shall be 2 flashing amber lights to the front and 2 flashing red lights to the rear, each of which shall be at least 6 inches in diameter and mounted 6 feet from the ground.

Approved, January 7, 2015."



Silly me, my colossal beacon is on a hayride vehicle, and thus unnecessary.

[SteveG1988]

Okay, before this gets into a pissing contest.

What's so wrong with putting your headlights on when your wipers are on? The main idea is to make it easier to discern where your vehicle is at in relation to other vehicles, when it is raining it can go from sun shower to full on monsoon in a matter of moments. Just turn your lights on when it is nasty weather.

It is sad we have to legislate common sense, but as everyone knows, common sense seems to be in short supply nowadays.

[jeffandnicole]

Okay, before this gets into a pissing contest.

What's so wrong with putting your headlights on when your wipers are on? The main idea is to make it easier to discern where your vehicle is at in relation to other vehicles, when it is raining it can go from sun shower to full on monsoon in a matter of moments. Just turn your lights on when it is nasty weather.

It is sad we have to legislate common sense, but as everyone knows, common sense seems to be in short supply nowadays.

Yes.  This.

People seem to forget the purpose of turning your lights on is to make you more visible in bad weather.  That includes ALL lights.  DRLs don't suffice. 

I'm amazed at the number of dark vehicles that don't turn on their lights when it's raining, or when it's dusk.  They're the vehicles hardest to see.

[PHLBOS]

If memory serves; DRLs started appearing on cars right around the same time (mid-1990s) that several states (MA's a bit late to the party) started adopting Wipers On/Lights On laws. 

Whether or not DRLs were being offered as an automakers' means of having drivers comply with those then-new laws (don't DRLs automatically turn on once the car's started?) without actually turning on one's standard headlights is not fully known.  Rumors of a mandate requiring all vehicles to have DRLs as standard equipment after a certain model year, to my knowledge, never materialized.

It should be noted that even in 2015, not all vehicles are equipped with DRLs.  While my 2007 Mustang has the optional supplemental lights on the front grille (the non-Pony Packaged V6 Mustangs do not have such); those, I believe, are considered fog lamps not DRLs.  Additionally, when the fog lamps are turned on; the rest of the running lights (tail-lights, parking lights) that aren't the headlights are on as well.

To be honest, I thought DRLs went the way of the 8-track or cassette players in cars (note: I was going to say push-button transmissions but Lincoln has since revived such in some of its newer vehicles).

[US81]

Okay, before this gets into a pissing contest.

What's so wrong with putting your headlights on when your wipers are on? The main idea is to make it easier to discern where your vehicle is at in relation to other vehicles, when it is raining it can go from sun shower to full on monsoon in a matter of moments. Just turn your lights on when it is nasty weather.

It is sad we have to legislate common sense, but as everyone knows, common sense seems to be in short supply nowadays.

Yes.  This.

People seem to forget the purpose of turning your lights on is to make you more visible in bad weather.  That includes ALL lights.  DRLs don't suffice. 

I'm amazed at the number of dark vehicles that don't turn on their lights when it's raining, or when it's dusk.  They're the vehicles hardest to see.

They either forget this purpose, or they just don't care.

[briantroutman]

If memory serves; DRLs started appearing on cars right around the same time (mid-1990s) that several states (MA's a bit late to the party) started adopting Wipers On/Lights On laws. 

Whether or not DRLs were being offered as an automakers' means of having drivers comply with those then-new laws (don't DRLs automatically turn on once the car's started?) without actually turning on one's standard headlights is not fully known.  Rumors of a mandate requiring all vehicles to have DRLs as standard equipment after a certain model year, to my knowledge, never materialized.

My understanding is that the appearance of DRLs in the US is a result of 1990 legislation requiring them in Canada, where northern latitudes provide fewer hours of daylight and at a lower intensity. Faced with making two different headlamp control mechanisms for North American market vehicles, GM lobbied the US government to allow DRLs on US market cars as well. (Apparently, DRLs would have been illegal under the existing NHTSA regulations.) In the mid '90s, GM pressured the feds to make DRLs mandatory. The mandate never came, but some manufacturers decided to keep DRLs on both sides of the border.

[SteveG1988]

If memory serves; DRLs started appearing on cars right around the same time (mid-1990s) that several states (MA's a bit late to the party) started adopting Wipers On/Lights On laws. 

Whether or not DRLs were being offered as an automakers' means of having drivers comply with those then-new laws (don't DRLs automatically turn on once the car's started?) without actually turning on one's standard headlights is not fully known.  Rumors of a mandate requiring all vehicles to have DRLs as standard equipment after a certain model year, to my knowledge, never materialized.

My understanding is that the appearance of DRLs in the US is a result of 1990 legislation requiring them in Canada, where northern latitudes provide fewer hours of daylight and at a lower intensity. Faced with making two different headlamp control mechanisms for North American market vehicles, GM lobbied the US government to allow DRLs on US market cars as well. (Apparently, DRLs would have been illegal under the existing NHTSA regulations.) In the mid '90s, GM pressured the feds to make DRLs mandatory. The mandate never came, but some manufacturers decided to keep DRLs on both sides of the border.

The problem is that people don't realize they are driving with lights that are not meant to be used in bad conditions, or even that only their front lights are on.

[MikeTheActuary]

My understanding is that the appearance of DRLs in the US is a result of 1990 legislation requiring them in Canada, where northern latitudes provide fewer hours of daylight and at a lower intensity.

ISTR it was evidence that headlight use leads to a reduction in head-on collisions on 2-lane roads that prompted the DRL requirement in Canada.

[NJRoadfan]

In the mid '90s, GM pressured the feds to make DRLs mandatory. The mandate never came, but some manufacturers decided to keep DRLs on both sides of the border.

The real reason for the increase in DRL equipped cars in the past 5 years is that it is now mandatory under the UN ECE requirements (Regulation 87) that cars sold in the rest of the world come equipped with them. Also LEDs made it possible to create DRLs that are bright enough, but don't blind people like GM's bean counter method of using the high beams at low voltage.

[jeffandnicole]

One of those few "Where's a cop when you need 'em" moments...SUV on the highway, about 11pm at night, passes a cop in the median.  SUV was probably doing the speed limit, while others were going noticeably faster.  Cop pulls SUV over...and based on this thread, you can probably guess why: Driving with only the DRLs on.

[bzakharin]

My car came with wiper headlight integration standard. I can just put my headlights on "auto" and they will turn on automatically at a certain brightness level and also when wipers are in use. I thought this was the case on most recent models. It's very convenient and there's nothing to remember.