The law was quietly approved by the Legislature in December and signed by former Gov. Deval Patrick before he left office in January.
If it's so fucking dangerous driving around here without headlights then why was it quietly approved? It should have been all over the news that thousands of masshole drivers have been killed because people don't know when to use their headlights. Have we gotten that dumb?
OR, is it revenue?
That prick Deval'ue should have been tarred and feathered.....
Massachusetts law mandating headlight use takes effect...
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.
Just another excuse for officer friendly you pull you over. Don't these people have anything better to do?
Read that law again and see how many ways it can be used for a traffic stop.. THEN a fucking surcharge.
Based on just the text you posted, it could be read as the head and tail lights need to be on if you leave your vehicle parked on the street overnight.
ReplyDelete"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"
Doesn't say the vehicle has to be in operation, just has to be on the road.
No kidding huh? I see a lot of thought went into it. It's just a way to get you pulled over to find something else. The ticket is 5 bucks but the surcharges add up and go against you. BC it took you three minutes of reading to figure out your point :)
DeleteA version of this law has been in effect in Ohio for the last several years. It is routinely ignored by most peope, including most local and state police. However, I believe it is a secondary level violation, like seat belts. They can't pull you over for it but if they do pull you over they get to pile on.
ReplyDeleteIt was quiet because it was all about the revenue... as you alluded to. I have read that the average 'law abiding' citizen breaks about felony laws per day because there are so many on the books these days. It is all about 'if they want you, they can have you' and the lesson is to keep your head down and let them do what they please... or else! Here is an interesting link that was worth the time to skim through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc This discusses how the police are militarized in how they look at the public in general: we are all guilty of something, so should be treated like crooks.
ReplyDeletethat was THREE felony laws per day... how do I edit a post? :)
Delete