Lockport, IL – Lockport Police Department has reminded motorists that their headlights and taillights must be on when their windshield wipers are on, according to 625 ILCS 5/12-201(b).
The law requires all motor vehicles to have at least two lighted headlamps, showing white lights, during the period from sunset to sunrise, when rain, snow, fog, or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers, and at any other times when persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet.
Police officers have noted that many people believe the “A” or Automatic setting on their headlight knob will turn the headlights on, but it will not. Daytime running lights (DRLs) are also not considered headlights, and taillights are not activated when the switch is set to “A” – only DRLs are.
While automatic headlight systems are designed to account for ambient lighting, they do not consider precipitation. As a result, drivers must physically turn the headlight knob to the On position to comply with the law when using windshield wipers.
Lockport Police advise motorists to look at it from the perspective of safety and to take the necessary measures to increase safety for all roadway users.
