Haverhill Police are helping spread the word to local motorists about a new state law that requires drivers to turn on their headlights when windshield wipers are required.
Effective April 7, legislation passed in 2014 requires motorists to turn on their headlights “when the vehicle’s windshield wipers are needed,” a Massachusetts Trial Court Law Library spokesperson said. Under existing state laws, headlights should be in use for a half hour before sunrise and sunset or when visibility is under 500 feet.
Comments from local residents in response to the online advisory by Haverhill Police range from “a very good law” to “common sense” while others had believed the new law was already in effect.