Different Laws Regulate Headlights

Question: How many headlights and auxiliary lights may be illuminated, on a motor vehicle, while driving on a Michigan highway? I would like to drive with six headlamps at night.

— Kurt from Brighton

Answer: Kurt, six would to be too many. Four is the maximum.

This simple question is a good example of how multiple laws may have impact on one simple question. In order to answer this question I will give the Michigan Compiled Law numbers, but will answer the question as it regards to a car rather than motorcycles and farm machinery because including them would make the answer to long for this column.

MCL 257.685 covers various aspects of lights located on the front of a vehicle including motorcycles and implements of husbandry. In part, this law tells us a car needs at least two headlamps with at least one head lamp on each side of the front of the motor vehicle. It also tells us how to measure for appropriate head lamp locations — from the center of the head lamp, not more than 54 inches nor less than 24 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.  And then it tells us only four of those lamps can be lighted at the same time when upon a highway.

MCL 257.696 says a vehicle can only have two fog lamps, how those fog lamps will be installed and that fog lamps may be used with lower head-lamp beams.

This would be a good time to introduce MCL 257.700, which says a driver will utilize their low beam lights when approaching another vehicle so light will not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. 

When driving, how close is too close?

Question: Would you explain what a safe following distance is for vehicles? It seems as though the huge majority of drivers are unaware of the suggested following distance.

— Amber from Howell

Answer: MCL 257.643 says the driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the highway. 

Amber, you had a good suggestion of one car length for every 10 miles per hour of speed. Another suggestion; while following a car, pick a fixed object and when the vehicle passed that spot count, one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three. If you passed the object before three you’re to close.

The important thing to remember is to keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle(s) in front of you. This allows you a reactionary gap to respond to something happening in front of you; sudden slow downs, object in the roadway, sudden lane changes or even something falling from the sky. 

A tidbit of information: The driver who crashes into the back of another vehicle is almost always at fault in the crash. By allowing yourself adequate space to react, it will be a safer drive and may provide a more pleasurable and less stressful driving experience. With today’s gasoline prices, we need to have all the joy we can get while driving.

Let’s end this column with a driving quote from Mac McCleary that's in 101 Annoying Things about Other Drivers by Ray Comfort: “Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead.”

If you have a question for Ask A Trooper, send it to askatrooper12@gmail.com.

Meet Trooper Hodgson

Trooper Jennifer Hodgson has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. She is a graduate of the Michigan State Police 101st recruit school and has been in the state police for 25 years. Hodgson has served at the Grand Haven and Brighton Posts and she is a member of the Michigan State Police Dive Team. Hodgson is the Brighton Post’s court officer and police community services officer. She has also received specialized training as an evidence technician and field training officer.