Anyone get ticket for no headlight while driving in the rain?
 

I just got one. Driving in the rain, more like shower, without turning on headlight. Its was around 3pm or so. Wow. I didn't know there is such law. Anyone know any detail about this? How bad is the fine?

lol..never heard of that one..
then again Mars & CA are different..

Rika

General rule for states that have the regulation is if your wipers are going then your lights should be on.

I don't think it's a law everywhere. I have seen the signs about this every time I've driven into NJ from PA or DE though.

I got pulled over in Germany for having my foglights on in a torrential downpour. I was sure the cop was gonna write me too, since she got soaked coming up to my window. She just reminded me that foglights are only allowed when visibility gets below 30 meters. Sheesh.

Yes. Some German cars will turn on the headlights when the wipers are on.

I run my headlights by default, unless it is bright and sunny. I'd rather give everyone the opportunity to see me. Why wouldn't you?

Yes, I would like people to see me too, but it was around 3pm or so. I don't think anyone would have problem seeing any car on the road with a little shower. I know law is law but beside this law, just a discussion around this topic, if people have to the turn on headlights in the condition I was in that day, I think everyone should have to turn on headlight all the time.

How much was the ticket for, it should say on it, or at least what part of the vehicle code you violated. This is a law that has been on the books about a year. I would dispute the ticket.

They don't mandate turning your lights on in the fog though, it is all about the benjamins my brothers.

In NY it is the law, fine would be about $150-$225. Just another way to gain revenue.

Budget crunches are ramping up the BS tickets everywhere... a coworker was cited for the "no headlights" thing late last year... apparently here in Fl. if your wipers are on, the headlights have to be on. She got a ticket on a clear sunny day, running her wipers to get rid of some bird droppings on her windshield...

I believe it's law in Florida, headlights with wipers.

Vie seen lots of folks that should have had their headlights on. Especially these days when everyone's car has tinted windows. Its dark and gray outside, you have tinted windows, its raining. That all makes other cars start to fade into the background.

Now THAT'S just messed up. I'd think that you could fight that with a lawyer.

Most states have a headlamp on requirement for hours of darkness, hours of dusk, and any condition which results in diminished visiblity (heavy rain, snow, fog and smoke).

Smoke is a big one when they are burning fields.

angela

As Angela said..
Looks to be $154/$233 as I figure it (but there can be localized additions from what I read).

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/reference/documents/2011_jcbail.pdf
pg 27
24400 (b) A, 55 I Failure to Operate Headlamps as Required During
Darkness or Inclement Weather

Disagree, Mars is much easier to live on than Kalifornia.

This was a "money maker" ticket, nothing more or less.

Most likely the OPs specific case was just that.

But I gotta tell you I was loosing my **** couple of weeks ago.

We had some pretty heavy thick snow.

Run out to the store, roads are white, that pale, flat light sorta sky, lotsa white stuff in the air and every asshat in a white car running around without lights on.

They were practically invisible till you were right on top of them.

I don't particularly care if they kill themselves.

Just don't want them killing me.

Oh, this was rediculous.

I have heard that some civilized countries actually demand daytime running lights for increased visibly to other drivers . . . ;)

Ian

Why not have the lights on all the time?

Civilized countries, and Canada too I believe.

Problem with the daytime running lights is that people VERY frequently forget to turn on their lights, because the headlights are already going all the time. I see that a few times a week, at least.

Lights on all the time cause you to burn slightly more fuel to generate the electricity for them.

Yup. Sadly, court costs for fighting it are about the same as the ticket, and a lawyer would be much more. Just a money grab...