Turn On Your Headlights: A New Law for Mass. Drivers to Worry About

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Think this is a bright new law this will go into effect in Massachusetts next month?

As of April 7, you’ve got to flip on your headlights any time driving conditions would require you to use your windshield wipers. It sounds like it might be a difficult one to enforce (“But officer, my wipers weren’t on, so I didn’t need the lights, either”).

An officer can now pull you over for failing to comply, and you could receive a ticket.

As insurance companies are pointing out, such as Eagle Trust Insurance in this announcement, “The more significant factor is that it is considered a minor surchargeable traffic violation. Surcharges result in increased insurance premiums at your next renewal. So, failing to obey this new law can cost you significant money in increased insurance rates, which no one is ever happy about.”

Here is the law, Section 15 of chapter 85 of General Laws (which seems to vary a bit for those transporting hay):

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.

AAA has already updated its “driving laws” section to reflect the change, posting, “Headlights are required to be on one half an hour after sunset to one half an hour before sunrise, and during any other period when visibility is reduced by atmospheric conditions, such as rain, snow, fog, or when wipers are in use.”

And Neil Diamond urges everyone to always turn on their heartlights, as ET did. Here is a reminder of Diamond’s message.

What do you think of the new headlight law? Necessary? Overkill? Good safety measure? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section.