New Massachusetts Headlight Law
Two days ago a new law went into effect for t
he State of Massachusetts which will affect anyone who gets behind the wheel of a car. New requirements on when you need to turn on your headlights are now in effect, and failure to comply can result in a ticket!
The New Requirements
The new law’s major change is that whenever conditions would require the use of your vehicle’s wipers, you must also turn on your headlights. While this is mostly common sense, it means even on a sunny day where it’s raining (as rare as that is), you would need to have your headlights on. Others times to have your headlights on: a half an hour after sunset, an hour before sunrise, and during any other weather conditions that would reduce visibility, including snow and fog.
What Happens Due to a Violation
If you fail to follow this new law, you could get a ticket. While the ticket amount is nominal (only $5 dollars), the penalty is considers a minor surcharge traffic violation. These surcharges will increase the cost of your insurance premium during your next renewal, which means a $5 ticket can end up cost you a lot of money in the long-term.
The Full Letter of the Law
From Section 15, Chapter 85 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is as follows:
Every vehicle, whether stationary or in motion, on any public way, shall have attached to it a light or lights which shall be so displayed as to be visible from the front and the rear during the period from one half an hour after sunset to one half an hour before sunrise; provided, that this section shall not apply to any vehicle which is designed to be propelled by hand; and provided, further, that any vehicle carrying hay or straw for the purpose of transporting persons on a hayride, so called, shall display only electrically operated lights which shall be two flashing amber lights to the front and two flashing red lights to the rear, each of said lights to be at least six inches in diameter and mounted six feet from the ground. Upon the written application of the owner of a vehicle and the presentation of reasons therefor the department may, in writing, in such form and subject to such requirements as it may elect, and without expense to the applicant, exempt said vehicle from the provisions of this section for such period of time as said department may elect.
So, to save yourself the stress of a traffic ticket and the additional cost of insurance surcharges, make it a habit to always turn headlights anytime you would turn on your wipers. If you have any questions about this new traffic law and how it will affect your car insurance, please contact H&K Insurance Agency. We’ll walk you through these special laws and how you can get the most out of your auto insurance.
