Reminder: New Headlight Law Goes into Effect Tuesday, April 7

A new rule for drivers goes into effect on Tuesday and you’ll want to pay attention.

Starting Tuesday, April 7, Massachusetts drivers are required to turn on their headlights when they turn on their windshield wipers. And with rain in the forecast for much of this week you’re going to want to pay attention.

The new law, passed by the legislature in December, means if you need your wipers you need your headlights on, even if it’s sunny outside.

You can and will get pulled over for not complying with the new law. Police can also issue tickets for failure to comply and it is considered a surchargeable traffic violation, which we all know can increase insurance premiums.

Here’s how the new law reads:

• 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.