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October law of the month

State law stipulates when headlights must be turned on

With the hours of daylight beginning to dwindle this time of year, drivers must turn on their headlights more frequently to see and be seen by other motorists.

According to state law, you must use headlights while driving during the period beginning 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise and at any other time you cannot see a vehicle or person on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.

"To increase headlight effectiveness, you should use high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles because high beams let you see twice as far," said State Patrol Superintendent David Collins. "But you must dim your high beams whenever you approach an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet, which is about one-tenth of a mile. High beams also should be dimmed when you are 500 feet or less behind another vehicle or when traffic is heavy. Low beams should be used when driving in fog, snow or heavy rain because the light from high beams will reflect off the precipitation and cause glare. Don't drive with only your parking lights on. Parking lights are for parking only."

A citation for failing to use headlights when required or failing to dim high beams within 500 feet of another vehicle will cost drivers $148.20 plus three demerit points on their record.

"Besides helping you see the road and other vehicles, headlights also make your vehicle more visible to other drivers," Superintendent Collins said. "This is especially true on rainy, snowy or foggy days. A sensible rule to follow is that if you turn on your windshield wipers also turn on your headlights."

For more information contact the State Patrol Headquarters at (608) 266-3212.

Previous "Laws of the Month"

Questions about the content of this page:
Steve L. Olson, steven.olson@dot.state.wi.us 
Last modified: September 29, 2008