Above: Starting next week – no matter how sunny it is, be sure to turn on your headlights when you switch on your wipers. (Photo posted to Flickr by basheertome)
Southborough Police issued a warning on Facebook this week. It’s a reminder to obey a new state law that goes into effect on April 7th.
I missed the news when the law was passed. But a quick check reassures this is no April Fools Day joke.
Effective this coming Tuesday, drivers must turn on headlights when using their windshield wipers.
(I already have trouble getting my husband to turn on his wipers when it drizzles. Here’s one more reason for him to dig his heels in!)
The bill was signed by former Governor Deval Patrick in January. The amendment requires:
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
Remembering the new rule could be a challenge for those of us who have come to rely on our cars’ light sensors to activate headlights.
(Does hoping against sunshowers make me anti-rainbows?)
You can take a look at the full adopted bill language here. (Interestingly, there’s a section regulating the lighting of hayrides. Turns out, that’s a carryover from the earlier law being amended.)
