Not Doing This During A Snowstorm Could Get You A Ticket In NY

There is one thing that we constantly see(or don't see) during bad weather here in CNY that is not only dangerous, it could earn you a ticket.

It is a New York State law that YOU MUST HAVE YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON IF YOU ARE USING YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

And remember, daytime running lights DO NOT count as headlights.

From the NYS DMV website:

"Rain, fog or snow make it harder to see through your windshield, and difficult for other drivers to see you. New York State law requires you to turn on your headlights when the weather conditions require the use of windshield wipers to clear rain, snow, sleet or fog. "Daytime lights" do not qualify as headlights."

This is from NewYorkSafetyCouncil.com:

"In New York, you must turn your headlights on when your visibility is reduced to 1,000 feet or less. As a point of reference, an American football field is 360 feet long. So if you estimate that you can't see the length of three football fields, flip your lights on. Some other states have visibility limit laws of just 400 or 500 feet. This is especially important on foggy, snowy, or rainy days. Additionally, you are required to have your headlights on any time that you are using your windshield wipers, whether it is for rain, snow, sleet, or ice. Headlight high beams reflect rain and snow when it falls, making it harder to see, so only use your low beam headlights while driving in wet weather."

And finally from section 375 of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law:

"2. (a) Every motor vehicle except a motorcycle, driven upon a public highway during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or at any other time when windshield wipers are in use, as a result of rain, sleet, snow, hail or other unfavorable atmospheric condition, and at such other times as visibility for a distance of one thousand feet ahead of such motor vehicle is not clear, shall display: 1. at least two lighted head lamps on the front, one on each side, having light sources of equal power"

Remember, you may be able to see just fine without your headlights on durng rain or snow, but others can not see you that well.

If you have a white, silver, grey or any other light-colored vehicle, this makes you much harder to see without lights on.

The last thing you want is to get hit by another vehicle or even a plow truck because your lights aren't on.

Please remember to turn your headlights on anytime you use your windshield wipers. It could not only keep your from getting a pesky ticket, it could save lives.

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