“We recently got drizzle in the morning and had people driving without headlights. They had their wipers going but headlights off. It is a state law that they need their headlights. So ask the Gilroy police to write a few tickets. I know it is not as glamourous as drunk driving and not as profitable. But people should have their headlights on when it is nearly dark and wet.”
Red Phone: Dear Turn Your Lights On, You are indeed right about the requirement to have lights on. And it looks like we will get some more rain tonight and toward the end of the week. The California Vehicle Code, amended in 2004, requires drivers to have their lights on when their wipers are “in continuous use due to rain, mist, snow, fog or other precipitation or atmospheric moisture.”
Having lights on is an important first step in preventing accidents, said Sgt. Rick Sung with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
“While some drivers may argue that there is no big difference whether their lights are turned on or not in the rain, it’s been proven that rain does affect people’s visibility, their perception and reaction time to danger,” he said. “Having the lights on in the rain will not only enhance the visibility of drivers, but it also increases the chance of them being seen by other motorists on the road and pedestrians, who walk across the street.”
While some drivers overlook the law, it is still an important one, said Gilroy Police Officer Amanda Stanford.
“The Gilroy Police Department is committed to making the roadways safer for everyone,” she said. “With this in mind, it is commonly forgotten by some drivers that headlights are required when windshield wipers are in continuous use. This is just one more measure that will decrease the number of accidents caused by weather conditions. As with all California Vehicle Code offenses, drivers will be contacted and cited or warned at the officer’s discretion.”
