New NV law in 2028: Daytime headlight use required on rural two-lane highways

[1995hoo]

My dashboard lights (including the speedometer, tachometer, etc., but also including the navigation screen) come on in a very bright color when I turn on the ignition. They then dim when I turn on the headlights so that they won't be exceptionally bright and cast too much of a glare. I've always used my headlights on two-lane roads that allow passing over the center line; it's a habit I picked up when I learned to drive because my father had picked up the habit on family vacations to Canada, where DRLs were not yet required but where daytime headlight use was very common because of how it helps you see whether it's safe to pass. Anyway, on my dashboard there is a "MAX" button right above the rocker switch you use to brighten or dim the dashboard lights. "MAX," as its name suggests, turns all the dashboard lights up to maximum brightness; it's very useful when using the headlights during the day (not just for two-lane roads, either—it's helpful when you turn on your headlights due to rain or sun glare or other weather conditions). That button acts as a toggle switch—hit it once to brighten the dash when you turn on your headlights during the day, hit it again to dim them back to your nighttime setting when you no longer need the brightness.

I very much miss that toggle button when I drive either of my wife's cars. Her TLX has an outside light sensor that will dim the dashboard when it thinks it's too dark for full brightness, but I tend to disagree with it on when it's the right time to dim the lights. I would wait longer in the evening to do it. But the lack of the toggle button makes it more of a hassle to override the automatic sensor.

[mgk920]

Be like a funeral procession?

Mike

[kphoger]

Be like a funeral procession?

Actually, now one wonders how to tell a funeral procession apart from just a bunch of random drivers who all decide to blow through red lights together.

[1995hoo]

I've seen some funeral homes hand out purple car flags (similar to sports-logo flags) that say "FUNERAL" on them; they also direct all the drivers in the procession to drive with their hazard flashers on.

[Plutonic Panda]

This is just gonna be another law that's not gonna be enforced any a police officer that's extremely bored or somebody who wants to use it as a pretextual stop because they're racist.

And I say this to someone that do you think that daytime running lights are beneficial. But let's be real here.

I can foresee the Esmeralda County Sheriff 's Office chomping at the bit to tag people without lights on departing Goldfield on US 95.  That is already a pretty well known speed trap.

I did not know that because I have flown to hear going well over 100 mph and I've never had a problem

[FredAkbar]

Be like a funeral procession?

Actually, now one wonders how to tell a funeral procession apart from just a bunch of random drivers who all decide to blow through red lights together.

One time in San Francisco (Mission district), a long line of motorcycles (not an official parade, just some large group of enthusiasts) was proceeding through a traffic light. They kept going even as it turned red. When my street (cross-traffic) got the green, in an act of defiance I (slowly) pushed my way into the intersection, forcing them to stop. I got some angry honks. I felt I was in the right, but later wondered if I was the asshole and it's "courteous" to let the group through, even if there was no legal basis for that.

I didn't have much sympathy because in the bay area, there are often roving motorcycle gangs that hold up traffic, do sideshows and other dangerous things.

[michravera]

This recent NDOT Facebook post alerted me to a recent law change that I hadn't heard anything about. Effective July 1, 2028, daytime headlight use will be required on all two-lane roadways in the state outside of urban areas.

More info via this NDOT webpage:

NDOT is installing 'daytime headlights required' signage in advance of an updated Nevada traffic law requiring daytime headlight use while driving on rural two-lane roadways.

Ultimately, NDOT will install or replace more than 50 daytime headlight signs on U.S. 95 and U.S. 6 in central Nevada.

The 108-by 36-inch tall signs are large to grab driver attention. The signs read "Turn on Headlights," noting the distance to the next major city where headlights are not required.

Current Nevada state law requires vehicle headlights to be on during nighttime hours from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, when raining or during any other time of limited visibility, and when directed to do so by traffic signage.

Effective July 1, 2028, headlights will also be required to be on at all times while driving two-lane rural highways in the state (NRS 484D.100). The law does not apply to two-lane urban streets or highways with more than one lane in each direction.

In preparation, NDOT is phasing in daytime headlight requirements on sections of highway to raise driver awareness and enhance roadway visibility.

Daytime headlight sections already exist on select areas of Nevada highways, including U.S. 6 in the Tonopah area and near the Nevada/California border, as well on U.S. 95 in Mineral County.

NDOT reminds motorists that using daytime running lights can provide enhanced visibility of your vehicle, even in areas where daytime headlights are not required.

With head-on crashes being one of the most frequent crashes on rural roads nationwide, the requirement is a safety precaution to enhance visibility for drivers on two-lane Nevada highways.   

All that I can say is "It's about time!" I already do this by default. I also do it on rural freeway breaks. California signs a lot of areas. I wish that they would just make it the default law and, maybe CalTrans could put up some "Check Headlights" signs when a section ends.