Headlight & Windshield Wiper Law No Longer a Surchargeable Offense – July 17, 2015

July 17, 2015||inBusiness Insurance, Personal Insurance|auto insurance, business insurance, commercial auto insurance, personal insurance

July 17, 2015—Governor Baker signed the Massachusetts 2016 State Budget and failure to turn on headlights when windshield wipers are on is no longer a surchargeable offense (outside the budget item, Section 74).

However, using headlights and taillights when wipers are in use is still required and a ticketable offense; however, receiving a ticket will not impact your driving record and, hence, your insurance premium.

Headlight - Windshield Wiper Law no longer a surchargeable offense - July 17, 2015
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On April 7, 2015, a new law (M.G.L. c. 85, § 15) went into effect requiring that headlights and taillights be turned on if windshield wipers are in use. Motorists are required to turn on headlights and taillights:

  • whenever the windshield wipers are on.
  • when visibility is reduced so that persons or vehicles
    are not visible at 500 feet due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions.
  • 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise has not changed.

(Note: Use of daytime running lights is not sufficient.)

Read our blog post: New MA Law Requires Use of Headlights Effective April 7, 2015, for information about the original law.

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