State Lawmakers Object to New Headlights Law's Insurance Surcharge For Violators

By Linda Bock (Patch Staff)

State Rep. Jim Lyons, R-Andover, and state Rep. Shaunna O’Connell, R-Taunton, filed legislation one day after the new headlights law went into effect on Tuesday to repeal the new Headlight/Windshield Wiper mandate.

“This law is an overreach and an attempt to legislate common sense,” Rep. Lyons wrote on his Facebook page. “Making it is a surchargeable offense is a gift to insurance companies, paid for at the expense of Massachusetts working families.”

The state’s new law requiring motorists to use headlights and taillights during inclement weather and when windshield wipers, went into effect on Tuesday, April 7. The law is intended to increase safety and visibility of vehicles on the Commonwealth’s roadway, according to state officials. The changes were signed into law in January.

A violation of this law is considered a surchargeable minor motor vehicle traffic law violation for insurance purposes.

For more information on the Safe Driver Insurance Plan and insurance surcharge information, visit the RMV’s Merit Rating Board.

“No Massachusetts driver would call this intrusive law non-controversial,” Lyons said. “And no family that gets hit with tickets and insurance charges will think this law is fair.”

Lyons, in a statement, said that the windshield wiper/headlight law was sneaked through the legislature during informal session on the last day Gov. Deval Patrick was in office.

Shorty after the two legislators filed their legislation, Mr. Lyons wrote, “So an hour after we filed our bill on the new Headlight/Windshield Wiper law, the Chairman of the Transportation Committee announced his intention to file a budget “that would specifically state that this new legislation is NOT a surchargeable offense for insurance purposes.How’s that for a coincidence?”

Lyons heard from “many constituents” on the headlight requirement, according to Boston.com.