The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Robert M. Koczera

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
                Court assembled:

                The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying bill:

An Act to require the use of headlights on motor vehicles during any period in which windshield wipers are also in use.

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PETITION OF:

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3545 OF 2007-2008.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand and Nine

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An Act to require the use of headlights on motor vehicles during any period in which windshield wipers are also in use.

                Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

            SECTION 1. Chapter 85 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 15, as appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-

                Section 15.  (a) Every vehicle, whether stationary or in motion, on any public way, shall have attached to it a light or lights which shall be so displayed as to be visible from the front and the rear during the period fro a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise.

                (b)  Every vehicle, whether stationary or in motion, on any public way shall display at least 2 lighted lamps on the front and every motorcycle, whether stationary or in motion, on any public way shall display at least 1 lighted lamp on the front when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, including, but not limited to, periods of snow, rain or fog, persons or vehicles on the way are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet ahead or it is necessary to use a vehicle’s windshield wipers.  A violation of this paragraph shall not be considered as a conviction of a moving violation of the motor vehicle laws for the purpose of determining surcharges on motor vehicle premiums pursuant to section 113B of Chapter 175.