New Ohio law requires drivers to turn on lights whenever they use windshield wipers
 

If you flick your windshield wipers on, be sure you have some type of lights illuminating the front of your vehicle, too.
It's now the law.
A new Ohio law requires motorists to turn on their headlights whenever the weather is bad enough to use their windshield wipers.
Daytime lights that automatically turn on when the vehicle is running will fulfill that requirement. And warnings will be given for violators over the next six months before citations are written.
Lt. Shawn Davis, spokesman for the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said the law previously said headlights should be activated during "unfavorable atmospheric conditions." That can be a bit judgmental -- by the motorist and officer.

"This provision now makes it clearer when to have your lights on -- when windshield wipers are activated," Davis said. "The goal of the original bill was to increase overall traffic safety. Headlights draw more attention to cars, whether at an intersection or on oncoming cars. Any time you draw additional attention to a vehicle in inclement weather, whether rain or snow, it increases safety for everyone."
The offense is a secondary violation -- similar to the seatbelt law. Officers may only cite a motorist for not having lights on with wipers when stopped for another violation, such as speeding, weaving in a lane or driving through a traffic light.
It is a minor misdemeanor, with violators paying up to a $150 fine. Motorists will not receive points on their licenses if cited.
North Royalton Patrolman Mark Fyock was mildly surprised the law has already taken effect. He said Ohio has been "lacking" in this requirement since many southern states that experience torrential storms have had it in place for several years.
"I can see the benefit. It helps other drivers see and spot your vehicle in such bad weather," he said.
Fyock said the department's command staff will likely decide on a route to best handle the new requirement and educate motorists. He said the new law likely will be highlighted on the city's Web site so residents will become familiar with it prior to officers citing motorists after the six-month warning time frame.

PA has had this law for years

I as a tow truck driver LIKE that law ALLOT! It helps see in very inclement weather when others might not feel they need lights on!

Our tow trucks AUTO turn on lights when you flick on the wipers... Then auto off with shutdown of truck. I use it to turn them on period then i don't have to worry about shutting them off. LOL!

:U:

Which is why I had the day time running lights enabled as soon as I got my truck. It helps other drivers see you, rain or shine.

Just use rain-x and you never have to turn you wipers on :w2:

yup :D

i thought that was the law every where.

never even heard of this law where i'm at, we may have it though and i just don't know about it

Heck, I do it anyways. Not sure if its a law here or not.

Well maybe Governor Strickland will get more money in the State's budget this way...:bat:.... Cant say I always had my headlights on, but I do usually have my running lights and fog lights on in bad daytime weather conditions.

yea like ram said we had that for years but dont think they enforce it much lol could be worse http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states/ohio

Its about time! It is common sense in my opinion.

wv has had that law for years but never seen law enforce it.

SC has the same law. Most of the time though it is only enforced by the small town cops or if you are involved in an accident.

i"ll keep my running lights on, makes me visible without causing all that annoying glare.

Also use rain-X and rarely use the wipers.. maybe i'll just run a relay so when i pulse the wipers it flashes my lights :humm:

I don't really understand why there is such discussion on how to get around the law?? Its there for safety of other drives, road/safety workers and pedestrians!

Is it that hard to turn them on when its raining? :humm:

I do not care if it is law or not, it is common sense. :w2:

Exactly! I want to be seen in the rain. I have always turned my lights on in the rain:U:

AMEN! :5:

Been a law in Minn. for a few years and it sure does help. Now all they need to do is enforce it.

thats a good law to pass... I wish we had something like that in New Mexico especially after last Friday when I almost ran over some idiot driving without his lights on when it was pouring!

:U::U:

I never said I wasn't going to do it, but I don't quite understand it all. isn't that what marker and clearance lights are for?

in Adverse driving your brain is working faster and your pupils are dilated therefore glare from oncoming traffic is increased, causes fatigue faster.

just out of curiosity, anybody have links to any studies on this? other than AAA recommends or agency X recommends

I understand why they pass this law, but tell me when are we the American Public going to take on responsiblity for ourselves and stop making a law to dictate every aspect of our lives. Its sickening to see a law being passed for every little thing we do or should do. All that is happening in the end is the continual loss of freedoms and liberty. That is one of the main principles our Country was founded on, the right to determing our own destiny in life and not get so bogged down by bureacracy. I am sure many will read this and feel I am going a bit to the extreme but I am SICK of the direction our Government is moving, and that goes for State Government as well. If people cant see how much we are moving daily towards a socialist type of Government then this Country is in SAD SHAPE !!! If safety is the main reason for this law then explain how its ok and legal in Ohio to talk on a cell phone while driving yet its ILLEGAL to wear head phones while driving. I would tend to say driving and talking on a cell phone, even with an ear bud is just as UNSAFE and distracting as driving in daytime storms with out headlights on. MAIN difference, Lawyers and Politicians cant live with out their cell phones.......Obama is a prime example of that with his Blackberry.

Agreed !!!! :U: :U:

Wasn't making a suggestion on getting around the law, Rain-X improves your visibility in poor weather conditions (rain / snow). Wouldn't that be just as safe if not safer then just running your lights. Since if your wipers break going down the road, you still can't see even with the lights. Yes I have my headlights on whenever I'm driving, good weather or not. :U:

MD has the law, many people dont follow it. Job security for us firefighters :yeah:

The reason laws like this are made is because MOST of this country is filled with irresponsible worthless turds... Allot of laws are made to help protect those that would be hurt or killed by those who just dont give a fuk. At one point it was a WASNT a law to not drink and drive... But people are irresponsible and get totally wasted and go driving and kill a family of 4. Or drive their beat up turd car down the freeway in a monsoon at 80mph with the headlights off and 2 tail lights burnt out... it happens. Trust me, as a tow truck driver you know how scary it is to have some CLOWN almost waste you, the truck, and the car your towing because they arent responsible enough to SLOW DOWN in the totally BLINDING fog! As for talking on cell phones... ive been rear ended by a woman that was ON her phone! She said she wasnt but they found it in the back seat still open and ON a call!! The airbag kicked it into the back seat. Then she broke down and said she wasnt paying attention because her friend was on phone with her crying cause her man broke up with her! As for headphones, i guarantee you cant hear a siren from a fire truck with Metallica blasting in your headphones. NO IM NOT DEFENDING the loony laws but some laws have to be taken with some understanding! I do NOT agree with getting my guns taken away because people cant keep them out of the hands of their kids... THAT is bs.
i dunno, just my .02$

Perhaps we can just stop putting warning labels on things so then all the stupid people can darwinize themselves and we can get on to normal business as a society.

Thats the way I see it :pca1:

stupid people don't seem to kill other stupid people

That is the unfortunate truth. You can't fix stupid, but you can make it illegal so it makes the lesser of the stupid people think about it and stop killing all the smart people.

Thats a good way to put the "book" i wrote above! :U: :5:

Its true though... lost my best friend to a stupid old lady that wasnt paying attention when she was driving. She even failed her eye exam at the BMV. :ph:

This law was passed in NC several yrs ago.