Driving in the rain? Turn on your lights

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

COLUMBUS — You won’t get a ticket for six months, but it’s probably a good idea to start turning on your headlights now when driving in the rain.

That’s because as of July 1, a new state law took effect requiring the use of headlights whenever drivers use their windshield wipers.

The law has a six-month grace period, meaning officers will issue warnings instead of tickets to offenders.

“It has been covered quite a bit in the media,” said Lt. Tony Bradshaw, spokesman for the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “It takes a period of time for people to really start fundamentally understanding and ingraining it in their driving behaviors.”

The headlights requirement was one of several law changes included in the state transportation budget, approved by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Ted Strickland earlier this year. The bill took effect this month.

Another provision increases interstate speed limits for tractor-trailer rigs and other vehicles over 80,000 pounds to 65 mph from 55.

Additionally, drivers are now required to move over when service vehicles with flashing lights (tow trucks, utility-repair vehicles, etc.) are at work. Under prior law, they had to move over for emergency vehicles.

The headlight provision is a secondary enforcement matter — officers can’t pull you over for using your windshield wipers without headlights turned on but can issue citations for violations if you’re pulled over for other infractions.