The new headlight law-I know I'm going to screw this up.

[Paper Roses]

As of 4/7, we are required to use our headlights every time we use our wipers.
Since I rarely go out at night, using the lights is an uncommon job for me. To use the lights in conjunction with the wipers is going to be something I'll have to adopt. I think I'll post a sticky to my dashboard to remind me. This new law may be good for safety but it will be even better for the state(fines, police will ticket) and for the insurance companies(surcharges). Just one more regulation to keep us in line.
Your thoughts: good or bad?

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. Good, and long overdue.

Turning on the wipers should automatically activate the headlights on all vehicles.

[rjsquirrel]

2. There is an easy solution

ALWAYS drive with your lights on. In many countries that's the law It uses no more gas (or such a trivial amount it's meaningless). Your modern headlights will last for many years before burning out. And even on the brightest, sunniest day, having your lights on is *proven* to make you more visible to other traffic. I've done it for years, and it's very common. You get in the car, you start the car, you turn on the lights, whether or not you need wipers. Driving with your lights on in the daytime is just plain safer and comes at no cost to you whatsoever.

[MADem]

3. The newer cars have lights on all the time, anyway--this is a fine/tax on people with older cars.

I have a 29 year old vehicle that I sometimes forget to turn the lights out on -- usually someone reminds me before I drain the battery.

I'll be honest, though--I thought this was the law already....so I can't really complain. It must have been the law in other states where I lived!

[unhappycamper]

13. Strangely enough, my 2010 Prius does NOT have the

"You left your lights on, bonehead" dinger.

I've forgotten to turn the lights off a few times.

[MADem]

14. OMG, that's HORRIBLE!!!! To me, that's a brand new car (heh heh)....

I have a "beater" station wagon that is nine years old for hauling stuff that has the dinger! I get caught out on occasion with the 29 year old car--AAA has come in handy a time or two. I usually get bagged when I'm in a hurry and have to go through the Tip O'Neill tunnel.

[Renew Deal]

4. NY has had this law for a long time

You'll get used to it. Overall it is a good law, especially in heavy rain.

I don't know of anyone ticketed for it.

[handmade34]

5. good law

just always drive with your lights on

[Blues Heron]

6. I do it - don't know if it's the law here

I associate it with feeling a little bit more visible, a litle bit safer. But then again I drive a smart car so I need all the visibility I can get!

[SheilaT]

7. I'm underwhelmed by that requirement.

I happen to drive a ten year old car that does not have the always on running lights that have become so common. I think I've occasionally driven through a state that wants everyone to have their lights on during the rain, but I honestly don't see the point.

At least if I do turn on my headlights, when I turn off the car it dings at me to remind me to turn them off. I have in the distant past killed a battery from leaving the lights on.

[GeorgeGist]

10. The point is to be SEEN.

[SheilaT]

11. I do realize that.

I'm frequently amazed at how many people I'll see out at night, full dark, with no lights on. THAT'S scary.

[eppur_se_muova]

8. Try it, you'll like it. Takes no time at all to get used to.

We have no such law here, and I'd like to see one. Some cars virtually disappear in the rain if they don't have their headlights on. Remember, lights are not just about seeing where you're going. They're also about letting other people see where you're going. (A sharp whack on the head to people who don't give turn signals because "there's no traffic around". Pedestrians benefit by knowing which way you're going, too.)

Years ago, I was driving through VA when, for the first time, I saw a sign saying "State Law. Drivers must use headlights when raining." Well, it started raining, so I turned on my lights. I was amazed to see how much further away an oncoming car was visible with its lights on than without. I've used my headlights in the rain ever since, regardless of any law. It just makes the roads safer for everybody.

[Thinkingabout]

9. I have an older vehicle and the lights are on if vehicle is cranked.

It is really good if it is raining.

[elleng]

12. I use headlights whenever I drive,

for general safety reasons. 'I'M HERE!'